Apple Tarte Tatin

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Made from flaky puff pastry, fresh apples, and caramel sauce, this Apple Tarte Tatin is the most delicious apple dessert out there. Despite its fancy name, this French treat is made with simple ingredients and is easy to make at home.

Apple tart with caramelised apples on a serving plate. Fresh apples are lying around.

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What is Tarte Tatin
Why you should try it
Ingredients you will need to make this apple tart recipe
Tools you will need
Cooking tips
Step by step directions
Serving variations
FAQ
More recipes you may like
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What is Tarte Tatin

Tarte Tatin is a French dessert famous for its caramelized delicious apples and buttery flaky crust. It all began as a happy accident at a hotel in the 19th century when the Tatin sisters messed up an apple pie. Instead of giving up, they put the apples in the pan, covered them with pastry, and baked it upside down. Guess what? The apples turned into a caramelized wonder, and that's how Tarte Tatin came to be!

Why you should try it

No need to make caramel sauce separately – This Tarte Tatin recipe takes away the hassle of preparing caramel separately. You simply sprinkle sugar over melted butter, add the apples, and cook them over medium-low heat. The sugar melts into a rich caramel while the apples become tender and deliciously coated.
No need to prebake the apples – Unlike many other apple tart recipes, there's no need to prebake the apples for this Tarte Tatin. They cook to perfection in the skillet as they caramelize with butter and sugar, resulting in a fantastic texture and flavor.
You can use store-bought puff pastry – Don't worry if you don't have the time to make the puff pastry from scratch. You can easily use store-bought puff pastry, and it will still turn out amazing. Of course, if you're up for a baking adventure, you can follow my Rough puff pastry recipe for a homemade touch. Either way, the result will be a delicious treat that everyone will love!

A slice of apple tart topped with sea salt flakes on a round serving plate with a silver dessert fork.

Ingredients you will need to make this apple tart recipe

Apples – Choose firm apples like Granny Smith apples or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor.
Butter – Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of your Tatin tart.
Granulated sugar
Vanilla extract
Salt
Puff pastry

Tools you will need

To make the Apple Tarte Tatin recipe, you won't need much in terms of tools. A 10” (25cm) oven-proof skillet, like a cast iron or stainless steel one, will be perfect for caramelizing the apples and baking the tart. You'll also need a spatula to arrange the apple halves and tuck the puff pastry edges.

If you decide to make the puff pastry from scratch, a rolling pin will be essential for rolling out the dough to the right thickness. After baking, you'll need a large serving plate to flip the tart and reveal the beautifully caramelized apple topping.

A slice of apple tart topped with sea salt flakes on a round serving plate. One piece was taken with a silver dessert fork.

Cooking tips

Keep an eye on caramel sauce - When cooking apples in the caramel, it's important to keep a close watch on it. The sauce can go from perfectly golden to burnt in a matter of seconds. So, be attentive and adjust the heat and swirl the skillet to distribute the sauce and the heat while you cooking your apples.
Don't roll out the puff pastry too thin - When rolling out the puff pastry for your French apple tart, be mindful not to roll it too thin. A slightly thicker pastry will provide a sturdy and flaky crust that complements the soft, caramelized apples perfectly. Aim for about ¼” thickness to achieve the best results.
Let the apple tart cool down before removing it from the skillet - After baking, resist the temptation to immediately flip your apple tart onto a serving plate. Let it cool down for 10-20 minutes, just until it's warm to the touch. This resting period allows the caramel to settle and makes it easier to release the tart from the skillet without any mishaps.

Step by step directions

Peel, halve and core the apples.
Melt the butter in a 10” (25cm) oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Add vanilla extract and salt, and mix.
Sprinkle the sugar on top of the melted butter in an even layer and arrange apple halves cut-side up on top of the sugar. Cook them over medium-low heat for 20-30 minutes or until the bottoms are soft and the syrup is caramel-like. The tops of the apples will be still undercooked.
Preheat the oven to 200C (395F).
Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut out an 11” (28cm) circle.
Remove the skillet from the heat and place the pastry dough circle over the apples. Tuck the edges down with a spatula and bake for 25-30 minutes in the middle of the oven, or until the crust is golden brown and the apples are fully baked.
Remove the tart from the oven and let it cool down until just warm to the touch. After, cover the skillet with a large serving plate and flip it. Lift the skillet to release the tart.

A collage image shows how to make apple Tarte Tatin in six steps.

Serving variations

Ice cream – Serving a slice of warm apple tart with a scoop of creamy Vanilla bean ice cream is a match made in dessert heaven.
Sea salt – Sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt over the Tarte Tatin takes it to a whole new level.
Whipped cream – Add a dollop of whipped cream to lighten up the dessert and balance the sweetness.
Cinnamon – Dust the tart with ground cinnamon or add it to the apples while you cook them in a caramel sauce.

Apple tart with caramelised apples on a serving plate.

FAQ

How to store Apple Tarte Tatin?

Store it covered with plastic wrap on a plate in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Is Tarte Tatin served hot or cold?

You can serve it warm or cold.

Can you reheat Tarte Tatin?

Yes, you can reheat it at 175C (350F) in the oven just until warm.

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