Tarte Tatin is a classic French dessert that is essentially an upside-down caramelized apple tart. It consists of apples cooked in a rich caramel sauce, topped with a layer of puff pastry, then baked until golden and crispy. After baking, the tart is inverted onto a serving plate, revealing the beautifully caramelized apples glistening on top. The origin of Tarte Tatin dates back to the late 19th century and is attributed to the Tatin sisters, who ran a hotel in Lamotte-Beuvron, France. According to legend, the tart was created by accident when one of the sisters overcooked apples in sugar and butter, hastily covering them with pastry and baking it to salvage the dish. The result was a deliciously caramelized tart that became a hit. Tarte Tatin is popular because of its simple yet luxurious combination of flavors and textures. The contrast between the soft, caramelized apples and the flaky puff pastry is irresistible. Additionally, it’s a versatile dessert, easy to make with minimal ingredients, yet impressive enough to serve for special occasions. Its rustic charm and deep caramel flavors have made it a beloved dessert worldwide.
Why make this Tarte Tatin recipe?
Perfect Caramelization: The combination of brown sugar, butter, and honey creates a rich and flavorful caramel that coats the apples perfectly, enhancing their natural sweetness while adding depth. Crispy, Golden Puff Pastry: Freezing the puff pastry briefly ensures that it holds its shape and bakes to a beautiful golden crisp, providing the perfect contrast to the soft, caramelized apples. Easy and Impressive: Using an oven-safe skillet simplifies the process, allowing you to caramelize and bake in one pan. The final inversion reveals a stunning dessert that looks impressive but is surprisingly easy to make. Versatile Apple Choice: The mix of green and red apples balances tartness and sweetness, creating a well-rounded flavor profile that elevates the dessert with various textures and tastes. Simplicity: I love to serve this dessert warm. It’s delicious on its own but goes well with a dollop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. And I absolutely adore it with vanilla pastry cream too!
Ingredients and substitutes
Apples: Green and red apples provide a nice balance of tartness and sweetness. Depending on your flavor preference, you can also use Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady apples. Brown Sugar adds richness and a deep caramel flavor. For a slightly different taste, you can substitute it with white granulated sugar or coconut sugar. Unsalted butter creates a creamy, smooth caramel. You can use salted butter but reduce the added salt in the recipe or substitute with margarine for a dairy-free option. Honey adds a natural sweetness and helps the caramel develop. For a different flavor profile, you can substitute maple syrup or agave syrup. Puff Pastry provides a crispy, flaky crust. For a more traditional tart base, you can use store-bought or homemade puff pastry. or a shortcrust pastry. Spice mix – I love using cinnamon, pumpkin spice, or gingerbread spice mix.
Step-by-step: Easy peasy apple tarte tartin
Prepare the Apples: Peel the apples, quarter them, and remove the cores. Keep them aside. Prepare the Puff Pastry: Unroll the thawed puff pastry sheet. Use the skillet as a guide to cut a disc slightly larger than the skillet (about 1-inch larger in diameter). Freeze the pastry disc for 5-10 minutes to make handling easier.
Caramelize the Sugar: Add brown sugar, honey, and butter in a skillet. Stir continuously until the sugar dissolves and starts to bubble, creating a smooth caramel. This should take about 3-4 minutes. Cook the Apples: Add the apple quarters into the caramel, arranging them in a circular pattern with the rounded side down. Make sure they are packed tightly together. Cook the apples in the bubbling caramel for 3-5 minutes, softening slightly and soaking up the caramel flavor. Remove from heat.
Top with Puff Pastry: Carefully place the chilled puff pastry over the apples, tucking the edges inside the skillet to cover the apples fully. Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the puff pastry turns golden and crispy. Invert and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Carefully place a large plate or serving dish over the skillet, then invert the tart swiftly to reveal the caramelized apples. Serve: Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream on the side for a delicious dessert.
Tips for success
Use Firm Apples: Choose apples that hold their shape during cooking, like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady. Softer apples may turn mushy and lose their texture. Chill the Puff Pastry: Freezing the puff pastry for a few minutes before placing it over the apples helps it firm up, making it easier to handle and ensuring a crisp, flaky crust. Caramel Timing: Keep a close eye on the caramel as it bubbles. You want it to be golden and smooth, but not too dark, as it can quickly burn and turn bitter. Invert with Care: Let the tart rest for 5 minutes before inverting to allow the caramel to set slightly. When inverting, use a large plate and handle the skillet with caution as the caramel can be very hot.
Creative ways to serve apple tarte tartin
Mini Tarte Tatins: Make individual-sized tarte tatins using a muffin tin or small ramekins. Serve each with a dollop of crème fraîche or a scoop of ice cream. Tarte Tatin Ice Cream Sundae: Place a warm slice of tarte tatin on a plate and top with a scoop of vanilla or salted caramel ice cream. Drizzle with additional caramel sauce. Tarte Tatin Parfait: Layer crumbled puff pastry, chunks of caramelized apples from the tarte tatin, and whipped cream in clear glass. Finish with a drizzle of caramel. Tarte Tatin Crepes: Fill freshly made crepes with slices of apple tarte tatin and fold. Drizzle with caramel sauce and serve with a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Tarte Tatin Milkshake: Blend a slice of apple tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream, a dash of milk, and a drizzle of caramel. Serve topped with whipped cream. Tarte Tatin Sliders: Make mini brioche sliders with a piece of apple tarte tatin in the middle, topped with a slice of sharp cheddar or brie cheese.
Apple Pie Recipe or Dutch Apple Pie Apple Pie Crumble Bars The BEST Moist Apple Pie Cake with Crumble Topping Caramel Apple Cupcakes Cinnamon Apple Bread Recipe See all apple recipes
Frequently asked questions
Did you LIKE this recipe? Save it for later. You can find my recipes on Pinterest. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.Subscribe, and I’ll send you new recipes right to your inbox.
Thank you for sharing - Save for later
