The French Apple Tart is a classic dessert that embodies the elegance and simplicity of French baking. Known for its buttery, flaky pastry crust and sweet, perfectly arranged apple slices, this tart is a beautiful combination of textures and flavors. Whether served as a special treat for a dinner party or enjoyed with a cup of tea, the French Apple Tart is sure to impress with its timeless appeal.
The crust is the foundation of any great tart, and in this recipe, it is made from a pâte sucrée, a sweet, shortcrust pastry that’s both crisp and tender. This delicate crust is easy to make and provides a rich, buttery base that complements the sweetness of the apples. It is blind-baked before adding the filling to ensure it stays crisp and doesn’t become soggy.
The filling of a French Apple Tart is typically made from a layer of almond cream, known as frangipane, which adds a nutty richness to the tart. The frangipane is spread evenly across the bottom of the tart crust before being topped with thinly sliced apples. The apples are usually arranged in an elegant spiral pattern, creating a beautiful design that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the taste buds.
To finish off the tart, it is glazed with a warm apricot jam or honey syrup to give it a glossy, sweet finish. This glaze not only adds a beautiful sheen but also enhances the flavor, giving the tart a subtle sweetness that balances the tartness of the apples.
The French Apple Tart is the perfect dessert for any occasion. It is refined yet simple, with a perfect balance of rich pastry, smooth almond cream, and tender apples. It’s an ideal way to showcase the flavor of seasonal apples and add a touch of French culinary tradition to your table.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour for the crust
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter cold and cubed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons ice water or as needed
- 4 cups apples peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar for the crust.
- Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add ice water, mixing gently until the dough comes together.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface, then place it in a tart pan.
- Arrange apple slices in the crust in a circular pattern.
- In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sprinkle over apples.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until apples are tender and crust is golden brown.
- Allow the tart to cool before slicing and serving.
Nutrition
Perfect balance of sweet and spice! My new go-to recipe for apple tart!
Not impressed. My mom’s apple pie is way better. Sorry.
You put nutmeg? I don’t know about that! I always thought cinnamon was enough. 🤷♀️
Nutmeg adds a warm flavor that really complements the cinnamon! You should try it!
Can I use regular sugar instead of brown sugar? What’s the difference?
This tart is absolutely delicious! My family devoured it in minutes!
Epic fail! The crust was way too crumbly and fell apart. Any tips?
This was my first dessert attempt and it turned out way better than expected! Yay me!
I thought it would be easy to make, but it was super complicated. Not for beginners!
I disagree! I found it quite simple once I got the hang of it. Practice makes perfect!
So simple and tasty! Will definitely make this again for a family gathering! 😍
I honestly didn’t think I would like this but it was actually pretty good!
This recipe is easy to follow, but I wish it had a bit more detail. What does ‘cut in’ mean? I’m not a pro baker.
Cut in means mixing the butter into the flour until it’s crumbly. Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it! This recipe sounds delicious!
Yum 😍! Best dessert ever! Got so many compliments at the dinner party. Will def make again.
This tart is absolutely scrumptious! The cinnamon really brings out the flavor of the apples. One of my new favs!
Wasn’t a fan of the nutmeg. Felt like it overpowered everything. I think I’ll skip that next time!
So good! I used honey instead of brown sugar and it still tasted amazing! 👩🍳🍏
Honey? Mmm, I don’t think that’s traditional! But whatever works for you. 🤷♂️
Wow, I never thought about using honey! That’s innovative. 😍 I’ll have to try it that way!
I dunno, mine didn’t turn out as good as I hoped. The crust was too crumbly. Maybe I added too much flour?
It sounds like you might have been a bit heavy-handed with the flour. Next time, try adding it gradually. Good luck!
Eh, it was okayish. My kids didn’t like it at all. Too many apples maybe? They wanted chocolate.
Not sure what the fuss is about apples. They’re fine, but chocolate is way better. Didn’t think this recipe was great.
I can see why your kids didn’t enjoy it. Maybe try adding some chocolate chips next time to balance the apples! Kids love chocolate!