Apple Tart

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This Apple Tart is one of the most perfect cozy fall desserts: tart apples are nestled in a flaky crust, then topped with cinnamon-ginger-sugar and melted butter, infusing a sweet and spicy flavor into each bite. Glaze the warm tart with fruit preserves and serve. It's like an apple pie — but way better!

This Apple Tart is a cozy fall dessert made with tart apples nestled in a flaky crust and topped with cinnamon sugar. It's like an apple pie but way better! | aheadofthyme.com

This apple tart may look like art that came from a fancy pastry shop, but it's actually easier to make than you'd think — even amateur home cooks can do it with our easy to follow step-by-step recipe, I promise! Serve it warm with a dollop of homemade whipped cream or a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or your next fall party!

Why You'll Love This Apple Tart

A fun twist on apple pie. This easy French apple tart has all the components and flavors of classic apple pie, but in a different format. It's open-faced and shorter than pie, and I like to cut the apples really thin to give them a nice bite. The main difference is the appearance — the glazed fruit and beautiful design make it a show-stopper!
Warm, cozy flavor. Made with melted butter, warm vanilla extract, cinnamon, ginger, and fresh apples, this easy apple tart recipe is the ultimate way to enjoy the warm, comforting flavors of fall. It's one of the best apple desserts ever!
Easy to make. Just because this fruit tart looks fancy, don't be fooled! It's actually a lot easier to make than it looks. First, you can use storebought pie crust to save on time. Second, if you have a mandolin or a sharp knife, you can easily slice the apples very thinly and then fan them out in the pan.
Beautiful presentation. Although apple pie is beautiful in its own way, I love being able to see the apple slices. It's almost too pretty to eat but tasty enough that you'll want seconds (and thirds)!

Ingredient Notes

To make this delicious Apple Tart, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

pie crust - use storebought or homemade pie crust.
apples - I recommend semi-tart apples like pink lady or granny smith apples, but you can use any kind of apples you prefer.
white sugar
cozy spices - season this treat with warm fall spices including cinnamon and ground ginger.
salted butter - to pour over the apple slices in the tart shell.
lemon juice - this keeps the apples from browning and adds a nice, bright flavor.
vanilla extract
all purpose flour - this will absorb any apple juices at the bottom of the tart shell to keep the crust from getting soft.
fruit preserves - to glaze the tart, brush with apricot, plum, or cherry preserves after baking.

You will also need measuring cups and spoons, a rolling pin, 9 inch tart pan, a sharp knife, a mandolin slicer (optional), pie weights, parchment paper, small bowls, a whisk, a small sieve, a half-sheet pan, and a pastry brush.

How to Make the Best Apple Tart

Shape the crust. Prepare your pie crust by rolling it out into a 12-inch circle, then transfer into a 9-inch tart pan. Press dough into the bottom, and along the sides, then use a knife to remove the excess dough overhang.
Pre-bake the crust. Place a piece of parchment on top of the crust, then fill with pie weights or dried beans. Place onto a baking sheet, and then into a 400F preheated oven to bake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the crust from the oven, and remove the pie weights and parchment. Allow to cool while you prepare the apples and filling.

Prep apples. Prepare your apples by slicing them thinly and keeping them in groups. Set aside.
Make cinnamon sugar. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, cinnamon, and ginger. Set aside.

Assemble. Using a small sieve, dust the bottom of the slightly cooled pie crust evenly with the flour, then sprinkle half of the cinnamon-ginger-sugar over top of the flour.

Add apples. Add apples on top by placing the groupings of apples in varying directions, pushing each group gently to create a slightly fanned out appearance.

Add topping. In another small mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, lemon juice, and vanilla. Pour the melted butter mixture evenly over the apples, then sprinkle the remaining cinnamon-ginger-sugar over top, as well.

Bake. Place the tart back on top of the baking sheet, then place into the oven to bake for 40-45 minutes.
Add preserves. Remove the cooked tart from the oven, then brush with warmed preserves. Allow the tart to cool for at least 30 minutes to set up before enjoying!

Recipe Variations

Try different varieties of apples. Each one has a different flavor. I also like to mix red and green apples for a two-toned effect. Instead of this design, arrange the apple slices in any pattern you like.
Add a splash of bourbon. This can be used instead of the vanilla extract and will add a rich, cozy flavor.
Grate some zest. For an extra aromatic note, grate some orange or lemon zest into the melted butter mixture.

How to Serve

This Apple Tart is delicious served on its own with a scoop (or two!) of vanilla ice cream. You can also serve it as part of a larger fall dessert spread along with some of our other favorites including:

For more recipes, see our 50 Best Fall Desserts.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Don't skip the cool down. If you try to serve this tart too soon, it will fall apart and ooze on the plate. It needs at least 30 minutes to hold together. A little extra time makes a big difference.
Sprinkle flour on the bottom crust. This is an easy tip that can make a big difference! The extra flour will soak up any moisture from the apples to keep the tart shell nice and crisp.
Blind bake your crust. This recipe doesn't bake long enough to cook the pie crust completely unless you prebake it. If you skip this step, your crust will likely be soggy.
Use the right pan. Planning to serve the tart out of the pan? Make sure you use a tart pan with a removable bottom.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Allow the leftover tart to cool to room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap and store for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep the tart in the fridge and reheat before serving.

How to Reheat

Microwave a slice for 30 seconds to a minute to warm up the apples. To reheat larger portions, bake them on a sheet pan at 400 F for 5-7 minutes.

How to Freeze

Leftover slices can be wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen for 2-3 months.

FAQ

Which pastry is best for apple tarts?

Keep things simple, and use your favorite homemade pastry dough. I like to make flaky puff pastry pie dough that has lots of little layers to crunch through. You can also grab a roll of frozen pie dough at the store to skip that whole process.

What apples are tart and crisp?

There are many apples to choose from. The best apples for baking are slightly sweet and tart, like Pink Lady, Honey Crisp, Zestar, and Braeburn. You can also mix tart apples, like Granny Smith, with sweeter varieties, like Gala or Golden Delicious apples.

Why do you add fruit preserves to apple tarts?

Most fruit tarts are made by glazing the top of the tart with fruit preserves, which adds a shiny, glossy look and extra sweetness. Apricot preserves are traditional for glazing fruit, but I also enjoy plum or cherry.

More Apple Dessert Recipes

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