Print
clockclock iconcutlerycutlery iconflagflag iconfolderfolder iconinstagraminstagram iconpinterestpinterest iconfacebookfacebook iconprintprint iconsquaressquares iconheartheart iconheart solidheart solid icon

Rustic French Apple Tart Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.3 from 49 reviews

This rustic French Apple Tart features a buttery, flaky crust filled with tender, thinly sliced baking apples tossed in sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Enhanced with a golden baked crust and optional apricot glaze for a shiny finish, it’s a simple yet elegant dessert perfect for showcasing the flavors of autumn apples.

  • Total Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes, plus 20 minutes to chill
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

For the Crust

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1½ sticks (12 tablespoons) very cold unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch pieces
  • ¼ cup very cold water

For the Filling

  • 1¾ lbs baking apples (3 large; e.g. Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Fuji, Granny Smith, or Golden Delicious)
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt

For Assembling & Baking

  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar
  • 1 tablespoon apricot jelly or jam (optional, for glaze)
  • 1½ teaspoons water (for glaze)

Instructions

  1. Make the crust: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a food processor, pulse together flour, salt, and sugar briefly. Add cold butter and pulse until pieces are pea-sized, about 5 seconds. Sprinkle ice water over mixture and pulse until moistened and crumbly, about 5 seconds. Transfer dough to a floured surface, knead a few times until it forms a cohesive ball, then pat into a disk. Roll dough into an 8-10 inch circle, dusting with flour as needed. Transfer to the baking sheet and refrigerate.
  2. Make the filling: Peel, core, and slice apples 1/8 inch thick to yield about 4 cups. In a large bowl, toss apples with sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, melted butter, and salt until evenly coated.
  3. Roll out dough again: Remove dough from fridge and place parchment on countertop. Roll dough on parchment into a 14-inch circle about 1/8 inch thick, edges can be rustic. Place parchment and dough back on baking sheet, shaping dough to curve slightly up the pan’s lip.
  4. Assemble the tart: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon flour evenly over dough. Arrange apple slices in overlapping concentric circles, leaving a 3-inch border. Fold dough edges over apples to create pleats, pinching to patch any tears.
  5. Brush and sugar the crust: Brush pleated dough edges with beaten egg. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar over crust and 1 tablespoon over apples. Chill tart in fridge for 15-20 minutes.
  6. Preheat oven and bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) with rack in center. Bake tart for 55-65 minutes until apples are tender and crust is golden. Some juices may leak and burn on pan edges—this is normal.
  7. Make optional glaze and finish: While tart cools, mix apricot jam with 1½ teaspoons water and heat until bubbling. Brush glaze over apples for shine.
  8. Serve: Use two large spatulas to transfer tart to serving plate. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature. Best eaten the day made but keeps loosely covered at room temperature for a few days.

Notes

  • Use baking apples that hold shape when cooked, such as Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Fuji, Granny Smith, or Golden Delicious.
  • Mixing different apple varieties provides the best flavor.
  • Dough can be made up to 3 days ahead and refrigerated; allow 15 minutes at room temperature before rolling.
  • Assembled tart can be frozen up to 3 months; freeze before brushing egg and sugar. Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to baking time.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 30 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 Hour
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/rustic-french-apple-tart-recipe/