Apple Tart with Puff Pastry and Honeycrisp Apples Recipe
This Apple Tart recipe features a flaky puff pastry base topped with thinly sliced honeycrisp apples tossed in brown sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla. The tart bakes until golden and tender, finished with a glaze of melted apricot jam for a beautiful shine and a touch of sweetness. Perfect for an elegant dessert or a cozy fall treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Tart Base
- 1 sheet puff pastry
- 3 tablespoons apricot jam (melted, divided)
For the Apple Filling
- 4 medium honeycrisp apples (cored and sliced into ¼-inch thickness)
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons butter (cubed small)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 400°F (205°C) to ensure it's at the perfect temperature for baking the tart.
- Prepare the puff pastry base. Roll out the puff pastry sheet to fit slightly larger than a 9-inch tart pan. Gently press it into the pan and up the sides, trimming any excess dough. Use a fork to poke holes on the bottom to prevent bubbling. Brush the base with 1 tablespoon of melted apricot jam to add sweetness and keep the pastry moist. Chill this in the fridge until ready to fill.
- Toss the apple slices. In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples with brown sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Toss everything together until the apple slices are evenly coated with the mixture, which helps enhance flavor and prevent browning.
- Arrange the apples on the pastry. Start by placing apple slices in a circular pattern around the edge of the tart, slightly overlapping each slice. Continue arranging slices towards the center, layering to create a visually pleasing design. Add a second layer of apple slices around the edges and center to give the tart depth and a beautiful pattern.
- Add finishing touches. Pour any leftover juices from the apple mixture over the arranged apples. Dot the top with the small cubes of butter to enrich the flavor and help caramelize the fruit during baking.
- Bake the tart. Place the tart pan on a baking sheet to catch any drips and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and puffed, and the apples are tender.
- Glaze and serve. Once baked, brush the tart with the remaining 2 tablespoons of melted apricot jam to give it a beautiful glossy finish. Allow to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Honeycrisp apples provide a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, but you can substitute with Granny Smith or Fuji apples if needed.
- Ensure the puff pastry is well chilled before baking for the best puff and flakiness.
- Using a baking sheet under the tart pan helps prevent any spills from ruining your oven.
- You can make this tart a few hours ahead and reheat briefly in the oven before serving to refresh its crispness.