Apple Tarts
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Put these apple tarts on your fall baking calendar ASAP! They are such an easy last minute dessert option, and so light and lovely. What the whole family loves about these mini apple tarts is that there is just enough apple to pastry ratio without being overwhelming. We made them twice last weekend!
If you’re looking for an apple tart recipe that is a bit lighter and healthier than a thick apple pie, these little tarts are ideal. This recipe is an oldie but a goodie, from Gourmet magazine, 1991. (This post was originally published September 15th, 2014)
Why you’ll love these puff pastry apple tarts
- They are a great last minute dessert. I like to keep store-bought puff pastry on hard during the holidays for last minute appetizers or desserts.
- They’re super easy! While the frozen puff pastry defrosts, slice the apples.They take just 25 minutes to bake.
- Minimal ingredients: this recipe uses just six ingredients.
- They’re perfect if you love something sweet but don’t want a heavy dessert. Each tart has just one tablespoon sugar.
- No special equipment needed. No mixer, pie or tart tins needed!
Ingredients for apple tarts
I use Granny Smith apples for this recipe, but any flavorful apple would work. For best results, choose a crispy baking apple, which is less likely to turn mushy or soft during baking. Golden delicious, Jonathon, Pink Lady, Gala or Fuji apples are good choices. This recipe makes two, 7″ mini tarts, but you can also make three or four smaller tarts if you like.
- One package puff pastry sheets. You’ll need one. You can double the recipe, or save one sheet for another dish.
- One Granny Smith apple for two tarts.
- 2 Tablespoons sugar.
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. If you love a stronger cinnamon flavor add a pinch more. I find this is just enough to enhance the flavor of the fresh fruit.
- 1 Tablespoon cold, unsalted butter.
- Lemon juice to prevent the apples from browning.
- 2 Tablespoons apricot jam to glaze the fruit tarts.
How to make apple tarts
- Defrost one sheet of frozen puff pastry.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- While oven is heating and pastry dough is defrosting, peel and core one apple.
- In a large bowl add the juice of one lemon to ice water so the apple slices won’t brown while you’re slicing them.
- Core and halve apples lengthwise, and with a sharp knife, cut apple into thin slices and place in lemon water until ready to assemble the tarts. I like to use an inexpensive Mandoline for thin, even slices.
- On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the puff pastry about 1/8″. Cut out two 7″ rounds. I used a small saucepan lid which was exactly 7″ in diameter. I like this Rolling Pin.
- Transfer pastry discs to a Parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Drain apple slices, and pat dry with a paper towel. Lay the sliced apples, overlapping them like shingles, all the way to the edges of the dough.
- In a small bowl combine sugar and cinnamon.
- Sprinkle tarts with cinnamon sugar.
- Dot each tart with cold butter.
- Bake tarts on the middle rack in preheated 400 degree oven for 25 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown.
- While tarts are baking, heat 2 Tablespoons apricot jam with 1 or 2 teaspoons water in a small mixing bowl in the microwave, about 20 seconds. Stir jam to break up any large chunks.
- Transfer apple tarts to a Wire Rack and brush the warm tarts with apricot jam using a Pastry Brush.
- Serve tarts warm with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.
- Makes 2 apple tarts.
Notes:
- If you make tarts larger or smaller than 7″, you’ll need to increase or decrease baking time.
- For caramel apple tartlets, drizzle caramel over warm apple tart.
- Make cinnamon twists with leftover puff pastry. Brush puff pastry with melted butter, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, cut into strips, twist and bake for about 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
- Make 4 square apple tarts by cutting the puff pastry rectangle into 4 equal squares. Double the ingredients.
More apple desserts!
Apple Tarts
These easy mini apple tarts are just 6 ingredients, and take less than 40 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound puff pastry (1 sheet), thawed in fridge
- 1 Granny Smith apple peeled, cored and thinly sliced
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter cold, cut into small pieces.
- 1/2 lemon juiced
- 2 Tablespoons apricot jam
- 1 teaspoon water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Peel, core and thinly slice apples, toss with lemon juice to prevent discoloration,
- Roll out thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface, 1/8" thick, and cut two 7" rounds.
- Transfer pastry rounds to parchment lined baking sheet and arrange apple slices overlapping slightly.
- In a small bowl, mix cinnamon and sugar.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Dot tarts with butter.
- Bake in the middle of the at 400 degrees F. for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Heat apricot jam and water over low heat, or in microwave, stirring until smooth and jam is thinned. Set aside.
- Remove tarts from oven, transfer to a wire rack, and brush with apricot jam. Cool.
Nutrition
Serving: 1tartCalories: 513kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 5gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 152mgPotassium: 188mgFiber: 4gSugar: 31gVitamin A: 272IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Your apple tart looks amazing, Cynthia! Apple and caramel are the perfect combo. Can’t wait to give it a try 🙂
OMG…just made the Apple Tart…SO easy to make and SO delicious!!!! My kids are begging for more and it is not even dinner yet! Thank you Cynthia! BTW, one recommendation…in order to cut into nice square pieces, we used our Pizza cutter, works wonderfully!
Oh, great Marlee! So glad! xo! Thanks for the tip on the pizza cutter!
Thank you Del, it’s so easy!
Looks incredible!!
Thank you Sandi!
All things French are better with an American “spin”… I might try this with whole wheat filo crust. The apples are getting better as we get closer to Fall – mmmmm love apple pie!
That would be awesome too Louise!
FABULOUS! I love this and will be making it this weekend. thanks so much for posting.
Let me know how you like it Simi!Thanks!
I love puff pastry, it is so easy to use in may different recipes. This tart looks incredible, and perfect for fall!
Erin, the best part is that it’s so quick and easy, but seems like you spent a lot of time on it!
Easy and looks delish! And any time caramel is involved sign me up. 🙂
I agree Peabody! Anything with caramel tastes better!
You’ve made my caramel loving heart very happy with this dessert. It’s so elegant and looks so delicious.
Christiane, yes, it does look elegant, especially since it’s so easy.
This tart is beautiful and so easy to make.
Meagan, it is super easy. It’s my go-to autumn dessert.
Wow, that IS super easy – I am going to do that this weekend!
Andi, let me know how it turns out, it is super easy.
I love the caramel addition!!! I think hubby is gonna get a little excited when I make this for him this weekend.
Awesome Wendy! I hope he likes it!
Easy and pretty – my kind of dessert!
Anita, very easy, but it makes it seem like you slaved all day!
Oh yes! This is something to whip up in a jiffy, but no one ever knows it! I could eat about 5 slices of this…yum!
Definitely a “back pocket” recipe Christina!
Caramel Apple is one of my favourite flavour combos ever! This tart is so beautiful! 🙂
Thank you Annie!
This looks soooo yummy and I love the addition of the apricot jam!
The apricot jam is just a trick from culinary school. All the fruit on the baked goods get a quick “shine” of thinned apricot jam.
It’s midnight and I really want to make this now, looks yummy!
The best part is when you have puff pastry in the freezer…this dessert is just minutes away!
I just saw these on pinterest and fell in love. Thanks! Definitely making this beauty.
Thank you Ginny!
Definitely a classic and the scoop of ice cream is not optional in my book!
Haha Susan!
This is just perfect Cynthia, flavors and presentation!!
Thank you Brandon!
Oh yum, what a gorgeous fall dessert! That caramel sauce is the perfect addition!
Thank you Carol! Caramel sauce makes everything taste better!
Wow! This is seriously, gloriously, ridiculously easy! After looking at the beautiful, drool-worthy photos, I was so delighted and surprised when I scrolled down to the recipe card and saw how simple this beautiful tart is to make! Perfect! 😀
Yes, Shelly, so easy! I always keep a package of puff pastry on hand for both savory and sweet last minute dishes!
I’m in love with these but especially how easy they are to whip up!
This caramel apple tart looks ahhmazing! Perfect fall dessert!
This is absolutely gorgeous! I love how easy it is too with the puff pastry and store bought caramel. I’m all about those easy conveniences!
What a beautiful tart! I am so grateful that there’s easy way to use puff pastry in delicious recipes like this.
These apple tarts are a perfect fall treat, with a delightful balance of crispy pastry and tender apples—easy, light, and delicious!