Tarte Tatin

🕒 Prep: 20 min
🔥 Cook: 55 min
🍽 Serves: 8
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Tarte Tatin is a classic French dessert that turns simple ingredients into an indulgent treat. This upside-down caramelized apple tart is perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to a slice of heaven.

Ingredients for Tarte Tatin

Butter forms the base of the caramel, adding richness and a smooth texture. Granulated sugar caramelizes to create that signature sweet and slightly nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the apples. For the apples, choose a firm variety that holds its shape during cooking, like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. The puff pastry becomes golden and crisp, providing a delightful contrast to the soft apples. A touch of ground cinnamon and vanilla extract enhances the natural sweetness and adds warmth. Finally, a pinch of salt balances the flavors and accentuates the caramel.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use a well-seasoned cast iron skillet for even heat distribution and easy release.
  • Choose apples that are firm and slightly tart for the best balance of flavors.
  • Let the caramel reach a nice amber color before adding apples to prevent it from being too sweet.

Serving Suggestions

For an elegant presentation, serve Tarte Tatin warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cold cream against the warm tart is a match made in heaven. Alternatively, a dollop of crème fraîche adds a tangy contrast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use store-bought puff pastry?
Absolutely! Store-bought puff pastry saves time and still gives you that flaky, buttery finish.
What if I don't have an oven-safe skillet?
You can caramelize the apples in a regular pan and transfer them to a baking dish before adding the puff pastry.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the tart a few hours in advance. Reheat it gently in the oven before serving.

Tarte Tatin Recipe Walkthrough

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures it's ready for the tart when you are. Place a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. As it melts, you'll notice a lovely aroma filling the kitchen — that's your first hint of the deliciousness to come.

Stir in the granulated sugar with the butter. Keep stirring gently until the mixture turns a light amber color. This is the caramel forming, and it should smell sweet and slightly nutty. Once it's ready, stir in the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to round out the flavor profile.

Now, arrange the apple quarters in the skillet. Have them face the rounded side down and pack them tightly. This helps them cook evenly and keeps them from floating around. Let the apples cook in the caramel for about 15 minutes. During this time, gently baste the apples with the caramel to ensure they absorb all that wonderful flavor and begin to soften.

Carefully remove the skillet from the heat. Drape the puff pastry over the apples, tucking the edges around the fruit. This might feel a bit like tucking in a cozy blanket. Pop the skillet into your preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and crisp.

Once baked, let the tart cool for about 5 minutes. This brief wait helps the caramel settle a bit, making it easier to handle. Now comes the flip! Place a serving plate over the skillet and invert it carefully. Voilà — your beautiful Tarte Tatin is ready to be admired and devoured.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Uses just a handful of common ingredients.
  • No fancy equipment required — just a skillet and oven.
  • Combines buttery, flaky pastry with warm, spiced apples.
  • Perfect for showcasing seasonal apples.

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
8 medium-sized apples, peeled, cored, and quartered
1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large oven-safe skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
3. Add the sugar to the butter and stir until it begins to caramelize, turning a light amber color.
4. Stir in the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
5. Arrange the apple quarters in the skillet, rounded side down, tightly filling the pan.
6. Cook the apples in the caramel for about 15 minutes, occasionally basting with the caramel, until they start to soften.
7. Remove the skillet from heat and carefully drape the puff pastry over the apples, tucking the edges down around the fruit.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and crisp.
9. Allow the tart to cool for 5 minutes, then carefully invert it onto a serving plate.
10. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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