Tarte Tatin is a classic French dessert that turns simple ingredients into something truly spectacular. Made with buttery caramelized apples and a crisp, golden pastry, this upside-down tart is both rustic and elegant — perfect for everything from dinner parties to cozy fall afternoons.
The story goes that Tarte Tatin was invented by accident in the late 19th century by the Tatin sisters, who ran a hotel in France. One of them reportedly left the apples cooking in butter and sugar for too long and decided to top them with pastry and bake it all together. The result? A caramelized, upside-down tart that became an instant classic.
To make a traditional tarte Tatin, start by cooking peeled and halved apples in butter and sugar until they begin to caramelize. Tart varieties like Granny Smith or Braeburn work well, as they hold their shape and contrast nicely with the sweet caramel. Once the apples are golden and tender, they’re arranged in a skillet or oven-safe pan and topped with a sheet of puff pastry or shortcrust. The tart is then baked until the pastry is golden brown and crisp.
The magic happens when you flip the tart upside down onto a plate. The once-bottom layer of apples becomes a glossy, caramel-drenched topping, beautifully arranged and glistening with syrup. It’s a show-stopping moment every time.
Tarte Tatin is best served warm, often with a dollop of crème fraîche, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of cream. The combination of flaky pastry, soft caramelized apples, and rich sauce is pure comfort and elegance.
Whether you’re honoring French tradition or just craving a dessert that’s simple yet impressive, Tarte Tatin is a delightful treat that proves sometimes the best recipes are happy accidents.
Ingredients
- 5 apples preferably Golden Delicious or Granny Smith, peeled, cored, and quartered
- 100 grams unsalted butter cubed
- 150 grams sugar
- 1 sheet puff pastry rolled into a circle slightly larger than your pan
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- In a heavy ovenproof skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sugar and cook until it turns a golden caramel color.
- Arrange the apple quarters snugly in the caramel, with rounded sides facing down.
- Cook the apples for 10 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Top the apples with the puff pastry, tucking the edges inside the pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, until the pastry is golden and crisp.
- Let the tart cool for a few minutes, then carefully invert it onto a serving plate.
Nutrition
It turned out a bit burnt for me. Maybe I cooked the sugar too long? Not gonna try again.
Loved the recipe but had a lot of trouble flipping it. Make sure to be careful!
Yeah, flipping can be tricky. Just use a bigger plate next time! I almost dropped mine too 😅.
I had the same issue! It took me forever to get it flipped right. Maybe I need to practice more 😂.
I don’t like apples that much, but this tasted amazing! Surprise! 😄
I used Granny Smith apples and they were too tart! Not what I expected.
So much butter and sugar! Is there a healthier way to make this? 🤷♀️
Yummy! My kids gobbled it up. Def. making this again! 10/10
Ugh! The pastry turned out soggy… what did I do wrong? Help! 😩
This is the best Tarte Tatin I’ve ever made! The caramel was perfect.
Easy to follow recipe! My family loved it, and it looks fancy! 🍏✨
I’m so glad your family enjoyed it! It really does look impressive! 🍏💕
Fancy? It’s just apples and pastry. Not that hard to make.
Can you make this with other fruits? Like, maybe peaches? 🤔
You could definitely try peaches! They might taste super fresh! 🍑