Classic French Apple Tart With Beautiful Caramelized Slices

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

The French apple tart is the one with apples fanned so tightly it looks like a spiral, sitting on a layer of almond cream. I slice the apples thin so they curl and caramelize instead of steaming.

This French Apple Tart Recipe incorporates simple ingredients that come together to create a deliciously sophisticated treat. The combination of sweet apples and a flaky crust makes it irresistible.

Elegant French Apple Tart

This apple tart is made with thinly sliced apples layered over a sweet pastry cream, all resting on a crisp tart shell. The dish takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to prepare and bake, serving 8 people.

Ingredients

1 pre-made tart shell or homemade shortcrust pastry
4-6 medium apples (e.g., Granny Smith, Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
1/2 cup sugar (for caramelizing apples)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup apricot jam (for glaze)
Optional: whipped cream or ice cream for serving

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Prepare the Apples: In a bowl, toss the apple slices with lemon juice and cinnamon. Set aside.
Caramelize the Apples: In a skillet, heat the sugar over medium heat until it begins to melt and caramelize. Add the cubed butter and stir until melted. Add the apple slices and cook until they are just tender, about 5 minutes, and caramelized.

Assemble the Tart: Place the tart shell in a tart pan and fill it with the caramelized apple slices, arranging them neatly.
Bake: Place the tart in the preheated oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender.
Glaze: In a small saucepan, heat the apricot jam until smooth; brush over the apples to create a glossy finish.