Description
A delightful and easy-to-make upside-down apple tart featuring caramelized apples atop buttery puff pastry, perfect as a warm dessert served with vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
Pastry
- One sheet puff pastry
Apple Filling
- One large apple
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- One teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- Three tablespoons butter
Other
- Cubed white bread (cut very small)
- Egg wash (for brushing)
Instructions
- Prepare the Puff Pastry: Remove the puff pastry from the freezer and allow it to soften slightly. Roll it out gently in both directions to make it slightly larger than its original size. Cut the sheet into six rectangles, then place each rectangle on a plate between parchment paper sheets. Refrigerate these while preparing the apple filling.
- Prepare the Apples: Peel the apple and slice into even, moderately thick slices so they hold their shape during cooking.
- Cook the Apple Filling: Place the apple slices in a pot and sprinkle with both brown and white sugars, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cook over low heat without adding any water until the sugars become syrupy and the apples soften somewhat but still maintain their shape, about 10 minutes.
- Prepare the Tarte Base: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. For each puff pastry rectangle to be baked, place two thin slices of butter on the parchment paper to act as the base.
- Assemble the Tartes: Using tongs or fingers, arrange the cooked apple slices neatly on top of each butter base. Then, cover each apple arrangement with a puff pastry rectangle. Pinch the edges with a fork on all four sides to seal. Cut slits into the pastry and prick with a fork to allow steam to escape.
- Apply Egg Wash and Bake: Brush each pastry top with egg wash to promote browning. Bake the tartes in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 15 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Flip and Cool: Remove the tartes from the oven and allow them to rest for 1-2 minutes. Using a flat spatula, carefully flip each tarte upside down onto a cooling rack, revealing the caramelized apples on top.
- Serve: Serve the tarte tatin warm or at room temperature, optionally accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream for added indulgence.
Notes
- Ensure apple slices are thick enough to hold their shape but thin enough to cook through evenly.
- Do not add water when cooking apples; the sugar will create a natural syrup.
- Use a sharp knife to cut slits in the puff pastry to prevent puffing too much and to release steam.
- Watch the tartes carefully in the oven to avoid over-browning.
- Cooling briefly before flipping helps maintain the tarte’s structure.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
