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Easy Rustic French Apple Tart with Flaky, Buttery Crust

A close-up shot of a thick slice of amazing apple tart showing chunky, spiced apple filling and a flaky, golden-brown crust.
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This recipe shows you how to make an impressive yet simple French apple tart, or Tarte aux Pommes, featuring tender apples and a flaky, buttery crust. It is a classic apple dessert perfect for any gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons ice water
  • 4 medium baking apples (like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small pieces (for topping)
  • 1 large egg, beaten with 1 teaspoon water (for egg wash)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the crust: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
  2. Add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix. Form the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Prepare the apples: Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. Place the slices in a medium bowl and toss them gently with the lemon juice, granulated sugar, and cinnamon until evenly coated.
  4. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  5. Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a rough 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet.
  6. Arrange the apples: Arrange the apple slices over the dough, leaving a 1 1/2-inch border around the edge. You can overlap them slightly in a decorative pattern, like a rose apple tart, or simply layer them evenly.
  7. Fold the edges: Fold the dough border up and over the edges of the apples to create a rustic crust.
  8. Add butter and egg wash: Dot the top of the apples with the small pieces of butter. Brush the folded crust edges with the egg wash.
  9. Bake the tart: Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender.
  10. Cool and serve: Let the tart cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes before sliding it onto a wire rack to cool further. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • For the flakiest crust, keep your butter and water as cold as possible when making the dough.
  • If you want a shiny finish, brush the warm baked apples with a little apricot jam mixed with a teaspoon of water after removing the tart from the oven.
  • This rustic apple tart pairs well with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream.

Nutrition

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