French Apple Tart {Stress-free}
Quick. Elegant. Delicious. My easy French Apple Tart is the simplest and most beautiful apple dessert you will make! Inspired by Ina Garten’s quintessential French Apple Tart recipe, my recipe further simplifies this beautifully arranged apple showstopper with store bought puff pastry. This French Apple Tart can be made with only 2 apples, a few small nobs of butter, a sprinkling of sugar, and a dash of cinnamon. With only 15 minutes needed to prepare it, this French Apple Tart will impress your guests with very little effort so… why not give it a try today?!
Frequently Asked Questions:
What kind of apples should I use for this recipe?
Similar to the apples that you would use for an apple pie, I recommend using an apple that is tart, sweet, and crisp. In this recipe I used Crimson Crisp apples, a sweet and tangy apple similar in flavour to the Honey Crisp, and it was easily sliceable and delicious. At the end of the day, use whatever apple is your favourite and you’ll love the end result.
Is this tart better served cold or warm?
Allowing this tart to cool once baked is an important step in setting the beautiful apple topping. Once the tart is no longer piping hot, simply cut it into pieces and serve warm, room temperature, or straight out of the refrigerator!
Do my apples need to be peeled?
While French Apple Tarts traditionally use peeled apples, you can forgo the peeling process to create a beautifully rustic and colourful appearance. The only difference will be that each bite may not be as smooth in texture.
How do your apples get so shiny on top?
The beautifully glazed, glossy topping is made with a brushing of apricot jam (diluted with water). I understand that this is a process used by the finest patisseries for its beautiful appearance and ability to preserves the colour of the apples on top.
To make this recipe, you will need:
- Puff Pastry – 1 sheet of thawed, frozen puff pastry
- Apples – 2 firm, tart, sweet, apples such as Honey Crisp, Braeburn, Granny Smith
- Butter – small pieces of unsalted butter
- Sugar – granulated sugar
- Apricot Jam – for the glaze on top!
- **Optional: Cinnamon for a hint of warmth!**
Let’s make the simplest *and stress-free* French Apple Tart!
Preheat oven to 400F (375F convection oven). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Unroll 1 sheet of thawed puff pastry onto lined baking sheet.
Peel and core 2 apples. Cut each apple in half and cut each half into thin (1/4″ slices) using a sharp knife or mandolin. Sprinkle cinnamon on top of the apple slices (note: you can alternatively mix cinnamon with a sugar and add together on top of the apples, once they are on the tart).
Arrange apple slices, one partially on top of the next, over surface of puff pastry (note: you can leave very small edges on the puff pastry).
Sprinkle apples on tart with sugar. Scatter small pieces of butter on top of the sugared apples. Bake tart in the oven at 400F for 45min to 1h or until apples are caramelized (softened and slightly browned) and the puff pastry appears flaky at the edges.
In a small dish/bowl, mix together apricot jam and water. Once well combined, brush glaze over the hot apple tart.
Allow French Apple Tart to cool completely, slice, and enjoy!
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French Apple Tart {Stress-free}
Ingredients
- 1 sheet Frozen Puff Pastry thawed (as per package instructions)
- 2 Apples (medium, firm, sour & sweet) ie. honey crisp, granny smith
- 1/8 cup Granulated Sugar this is a rough estimate – use as much sugar as you like to cover your apples!
- 1/8 cup Unsalted Butter made into small pieces/pinches
- a pinch of cinnamon optional
- 1/3 cup Apricot jam
- 2 tbsp Water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F (375F convection oven). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Unroll 1 sheet of thawed puff pastry onto lined baking sheet.
- Peel and core 2 apples. Cut each apple in half and cut each half into thin (1/4" slices) using a sharp knife or mandolin. Sprinkle cinnamon on top of the apple slices (note: you can alternatively mix cinnamon with sugar and add together on top of the apples, once they are on the tart).
- Arrange apple slices, one partially on top of the next, over surface of puff pastry (note: you can leave very small edges on the puff pastry).
- Sprinkle apples on tart with sugar. Scatter small pieces of butter on top of the sugared apples. Bake tart in the oven at 400F for 45min to 1h or until apples are caramelized (softened and slightly browned) and the puff pastry appears flaky at the edges.
- In a small dish/bowl, mix together apricot jam and water. Once well combined, brush glaze over the hot apple tart.
- Allow French Apple Tart to cool completely, slice, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Unsure what kind of apple to use? Any baking apple will do! I recommend using your favourite firm and crisp apple! Popular picks include Honey Crisp, Braeburn, and Granny Smith.
- Tired of peeling your apples?! Use unpeeled apples for added colour and crunch!
- If these bars manage to last in your kitchen without being eaten – they can be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 weeks!Â
