Picture yourself strolling through a quaint French village, the aroma of freshly baked pastries wafting from the local boulangerie. That’s the feeling this rustic apple tart evokes with its flaky, buttery crust, tender slices of caramelized apples, and a hint of warm spices. It’s a simple, yet elegant dessert that celebrates the natural beauty of seasonal fruit.
Why This Recipe Is a Keeper
This tart is the essence of French country cooking – unfussy, honest, and utterly delicious. It’s the kind of dessert that looks like it came straight from a grandmother’s kitchen, with its rustic, free-form shape and golden, bubbling filling.
- The crust is made with just a handful of ingredients, but yields a perfectly flaky, crisp texture that shatters delightfully with each bite
- Thinly sliced apples are tossed with sugar, spices, and a touch of lemon juice to create a filling that’s both tart and sweet
- Folding the crust up and over the edge of the filling creates a charming, rustic look that’s effortless but impressive
- It’s a versatile recipe that can be adapted to showcase whatever fruit is in season
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and diced
- 3-4 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling:
- 4 medium apples (preferably a mix of tart and sweet varieties)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, diced
For the Finish:
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon turbinado or coarse sugar
Instructions
- Make the crust: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut in the chilled butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some larger pea-sized pieces. Sprinkle ice water over the mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring gently with a fork until the dough comes together. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Prepare the filling: Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. In a large bowl, toss the apple slices with sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and lemon juice.
- Assemble the tart: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a 12-inch circle about 1/8-inch thick. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Arrange the apple slices in the center of the dough, leaving a 1 1/2-inch border around the edges. Dot the apples with diced butter. Fold the edges of the dough up and over the apples, pleating as needed. Brush the crust with beaten egg and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
- Bake the tart: Bake for 45-50 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender and caramelized. If the edges brown too quickly, cover them with strips of foil. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips for Tart Success
- Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for the best flavor and texture. Good options include Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, and Pink Lady.
- Keep your crust ingredients cold for the flakiest results. Chill the assembled tart for 15 minutes before baking for extra insurance.
- Don’t worry if your pleating looks a bit messy – that’s part of the charm of a rustic tart!
- Serve the tart warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of crème fraîche for an extra-special treat.
Variations to Try
- Pear-Almond: Swap the apples for thinly sliced pears and add 1/2 cup of sliced almonds to the filling.
- Apple-Cranberry: Add 1/2 cup of fresh or frozen cranberries to the apple filling for a pop of tartness.
- Salted Caramel: Drizzle the warm tart with salted caramel sauce before serving.
- Cheese Board Special: Omit the sugar from the crust and sprinkle 1/2 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the apples before folding up the edges.
This rustic French apple tart is the perfect dessert for any occasion, from casual family dinners to elegant dinner parties. Its simplicity belies its impressive flavor and texture – one bite of the flaky crust, tender apples, and spiced sugar will transport you straight to the French countryside.
So next time you’re craving a taste of la belle vie, whip up this charming tart and savor the simple pleasures of rustic French baking. Bon appétit!