This is a quick French Apple Tart recipe made with ready-made puff pastry. Baked in 30 minutes, it uses only 2 Granny Smith apples, butter and sugar. Serve with Calvados cream for the ultimate apple dessert - or just a dollop of good crème fraîche.
What is the Difference between an Apple Tart and a Tarte Tatin?
The classic French tart ('Tarte' in French) has the pastry baked as a base with a filling.
The pastry is either blind-baked separately with the filling added afterwards. Likewise, the pastry is baked at the same time as the filling, such as this tart or almond tart. The tart is always baked with the pastry underneath.
Although the The Tarte Tatin is served with the pastry as a base, it is baked with the pastry placed on top of the filling, rather than underneath the apples. To serve, the tarte tatin is upturned so that the pastry is served 'upside-down'.
Can Puff Pastry Be Used as a Tart Crust?
If the bakeries in France do it, so can we. Ready-made puff pastry is one of our staples in the fridge. As its shelf life is quite long, it's always handy to have a stock of it - or in the freezer. Just defrost thoroughly before using. It's excellent used as a tart crust - for both sweet and savoury.
If you have the choice for puff pastry like there are a few variations in France, pick one with added butter ('pâte feuilletée pur beurre').
In France, it's even easier, as the pastry is pre-rolled in a circle or can be bought as squares. To avoid any waste, either make this rectangular, square or round according to your ready-made puff!
Puff is also ideal to make a classic French Tarte Tatin.
For a quick and easy savoury tart, use ready-made puff for an Onion Tarte Tatin and this Asparagus Puff Pastry Tart.
What Apples are Best for Tarts?
What kind of apples you use for tarts depends on your personal taste. For a quick apple tart like this one, we love Granny Smith apples, as they are particularly acidic and tart. What's more, they keep their shape in the oven without going mushy.
If you prefer less acidic apples, use Golden Delicious, as they are perfect all-rounders for many tarts. However, if cut thinly with a mandoline, the slices do tend to break so Granny is better for thinner slices. Golden Delicious are good in this French Apple and Custard Tart - or an Apple Nougat Tart.
For much more on what kind of apples are best for tarts and other desserts,
see the apple market page.
French Apple Tart with Puff Pastry
This easy recipe is basically sliced apples on ready-made puff pastry. They're just brushed with a little melted butter and sprinkled with a little sugar and that's it.
I used to make this with an almond cream (like my fig tart from the recipe in Teatime in Paris) but there's no need. The apples do the job themselves in the oven. What's more, they don't give off too much liquid - just enough to make the tart perfectly moist but still crispy underneath.
If you prefer a little apple sauce under the apples, thinly spread up to a couple of tablespoons of apple compote.
Work quickly to slice up the apples finely (use either a sharp knife or mandoline), and there's no need to pre-soak the apples in lemon juice. They don't have time to go brown! However, if you prefer to take more time, make a bowl of water with a little squeezed lemon and steep the slices in it quickly to prevent the apples browning.
Melt a little butter in the microwave and quickly brush it over the apples and scatter over some sugar. Then slam it in the oven. Sometimes I like to add a few slivered almonds too.
Apple Slices on Puff Pastry
Normally I use only 2 Granny Smiths as if sliced using a mandoline, it's possible to obtain 30 slices out of just one apple!
I like to make this tart with even more apples and pile it higher. If you do this by using 4 Granny Smith apples, then just ensure you add another 10 minutes to the cooking time - but keep your eye on it in the oven.
Apricot Jam Tart Glaze
If you like your apple tarts extra shiny, brush over warmed apricot jam just before serving to create a quick glaze.
Did you know the French refer this glaze as 'abricoter une tarte' (literally apricot-ing a tart)?
For much more on this, see the apricot market produce page.
Quick Puff Pastry Tart with Pears
This recipe is also great using pears instead of apples. The mix of pears and almonds are so good. Try it in this classic Parisian Bourdaloue Tart.
I also like to sprinkle on a handful of dark chocolate chips, as pear and chocolate goes so well - especially in a pear, apple and chocolate crumble.
Do you Eat Apple Tart Warm or Cold?
Although apple tart can be served chilled, we prefer to serve this tart warm. Moreover, it's delicious served at room temperature with a simple dusting of icing sugar.
Either serve with the Calvados cream, or with a dribble of warmed salted caramel sauce - or just on its own.
French Apple Tart with Puff Pastry and Calvados Cream
Ingredients
for the Apple Tart
- 1 250g packet ready-made all-butter puff pastry or thawed if frozen
- 2 Granny Smith apples organic
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 30 g (2 tbsp) butter, unsalted melted
- 1 tablespoon apricot jam optional - to glaze
Calvados Cream
- 140 ml (5oz/¾ cup) whipping cream no less than 30% fat
- 60 ml (2oz/¼ cup) mascarpone cream
- 2 tablespoon Calvados (or Pommeau de Normandie)*
Instructions
For the Apple Tart:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/180°C fan/Gas 6.
- If the puff pastry isn't already rolled, roll out the pastry to about 5mm (¼") thickness in either a rectangular or round shape. Place on a baking sheet covered with baking paper.
- Peel and core the Granny Smith apples and slice them as thinly as possible using a good, sharp knife. Quickly arrange them in rows on the pastry, leaving a small space (1cm) in from the edge.(If you're worried about them browning, prepare a bowl of a little water with lemon juice and steep the slices in it first).
- Melt the butter and brush on top of the apples. Scatter with a little sugar and bake in the oven for about 30 minutes until golden.Optional: if you like your apple tart to shine, melt a little apricot jam in the microwave and brush over once baked and still warm.
Calvados Cream:
- In a chilled bowl, whisk the whipping cream with the mascarpone and add the Calvados or Pommeau towards the end, just as the cream thickens.
Notes
This post was first published 13 November 2019 but has now been completely updated.
Jane
Can't believe how easy this recipe was, and how utterly delicious it tasted! Yesterday, after picking the last of my apples from a tree in the garden, I searched for a new recipe to use, and found yours! Perfect! Thank you so much, Jill! I'll certainly be making it again!
Jill Colonna
So happy you liked this, Jane - it must have been extra special with your very own apples! Thanks for your lovely words.
Linda
Made this recently and it was as quick and delicious as the recipe suggests. Replaced the Calvados with some whisky - a touch of the Auld Alliance!
Jill Colonna
Thanks so much, Linda. Love the Whisky addition for a true Scottish-French connection!
Susan
Thank you Jill. It was so easy to make and maximum flavour!! The simple almond paste was what i was looking for; it reminded me of the apple tart i used to have at the French hypermarket i used to work for years before.
Jill Colonna
That's wonderful you like the recipe and it evokes your memories in France! Thanks for popping in x
Kathy
Thanks, Jill. I made it recently when friends came over for dinner. We all loved it!
Jill Colonna
Thanks so much for popping in to tell me! So happy you all enjoyed it - loved seeing your photos on Instagram. Have a delicious weekend!
Dave Thomson
I would just like to show my appreciation to both you and Christina for the blood sweat and tears you put into using your computers.
Stick in there lassies; we love you for it.
Have a good weekend...
Jill Colonna
What a most lovely, motivating thing to say, Dave. Much appreciated as I don't make any money of this here. It's all for love!
Samuel
Been crossing fingers for you as well deserved title of Best Blog in Paris for the second year in a row! Are the results out yet?
Jill Colonna
Hi Samuel,
No news still from them yet. I have no idea! Thank you so much for all your support. Have a delicious Sunday x
Jill Colonna
Hi Samuel,
I realized I didn't get back to you on this, but the great news is that I did make it to Best Food Blog in Paris 2019 - it was so late in coming through, they've also made it for 2020! Thanks ever so much for your support x
Christina
PS I LOVE that plate! 🙂
Christina
You have NO idea how excited and happy it makes me to see an apple dessert with NO speck of cinnamon in sight! Honestly, it's a breath of fresh air 🙂 I love the way you made it and the Calvados cream would be brilliant atop a slice, thank you! Sorry about the pine needles, but hopefully you saved it!
Jill Colonna
Glad you like it, Christina. I admit I love spices with apples too, depending on the dessert but in this one, it would just overpower the apples, as it's so delicate. Besides, we want the kick from the Calvados, lol. I certainly did save it, as no wastage here, although the cream took a fright!
CAMILLA HAWKINS
Oh my, this looks amazing and I don't think there's anything more French than a beautiful apple tart:-)
Jill Colonna
Thanks, Camilla. We adore French tarts!
Chloe Edges
This looks gorgeous. The colours of those trees too. And I am 100% behind adding booze to all recipes!
Jill Colonna
Thanks - I can't get enough apples at this time of year. Glad you like ze booze, Chloe!
Sara
Thanks so much for the recipe! Love your presentation, Jill. This is so good - I love the almonds at the bottom. Didn't have any Calvados but used Grand Marnier which was lovely. I must get some Calvados for the next time. This is a keeper.
Jill Colonna
So glad you like this, Sara. Good thinking on your orange liqueur substitute in the meantime. Reminds me of an apple and orange in my Christmas stocking when I was little! Enjoy the apple tart x