Description
A delightful French Apple Tart featuring a flaky puff pastry crust topped with a homemade apple sauce and beautifully arranged thin apple slices, baked to golden perfection and lightly caramelized with brown sugar for a classic, elegant dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Apple Sauce
- 3 medium apples (approx. 500 g), peeled, cored and cubed
- 3 tablespoons white sugar (optional, 40 g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
For the Tart
- 1 puff pastry sheet
- 3–4 medium apples (approx. 400 g), cored and thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Apple Sauce: Peel, core, and cube 3 medium apples. Place the apple cubes in a saucepan with white sugar and optionally vanilla extract. Cook over low heat for 30-35 minutes, stirring regularly. Mash the apples with a fork or blend to your preferred texture. Allow to cool completely.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) using traditional heat.
- Prepare the Puff Pastry: Roll out the puff pastry on a baking sheet lined with baking paper. Prick the pastry bottom evenly with a fork to prevent bubbling during baking.
- Spread the Apple Sauce: Evenly spread the cooled apple sauce over the puff pastry, leaving a 0.5 inch (1 cm) border around the edges.
- Slice the Apples: Remove the core from the remaining apples and slice them thinly.
- Arrange the Apple Slices: Neatly arrange the thin apple slices on top of the apple sauce in an alternating pattern (vertical, horizontal, right, left) to create an attractive decorative design.
- Add Brown Sugar: Lightly sprinkle 1 tablespoon of brown sugar over the arranged apples for a caramelized finish.
- Bake the Tart: Place the tart in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and the apples are tender.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the tart from the oven and allow it to cool before slicing and serving to enjoy the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Using a good quality puff pastry will enhance the tart’s flakiness and flavor.
- Vanilla extract in the apple sauce is optional but adds a lovely aroma and depth of flavor.
- Make sure to cool the apple sauce completely before spreading it on the pastry to prevent sogginess.
- The pattern of apple slices not only looks beautiful but ensures even baking.
- Brown sugar caramelizes during baking, adding sweetness and a slight crunch on top.
- This tart is best eaten the same day but can be refrigerated and gently warmed before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Keywords: French apple tart, puff pastry apple tart, baked apple dessert, classic French dessert, puff pastry recipe, apple tart recipe, easy fruit tart
