I love how quick and easy this one is! Seriously... just thaw some store bought puff pastry and then throw some sliced apples on top and you're done! Well, there are a few more steps in between, but really, you can make this in no time! I've already made it twice in one week, and the lengthiest step involved is peeling and slicing the apples.
The first time I made this tarte, I made the full fat, super sweet version that Dorie talks about in the "Playing Around" section :) I added bits of butter, cinnamon, and sugar to the puff pastry before layering the sliced apples on top. Then, I brushed melted butter and sprinkled more cinnamon and sugar on top! It was delicious. The extra cinnamon (not sure why Dorie doesn't use any? maybe because the French don't?) is perfect in this recipe. I am sure if you sift your cinnamon onto the apples (or mix it in a bowl with the sugar first) it looks much better, but I was in a rush and just sprinkled it on straight from the container, resulting in a more "rustic" looking tarte :)
The second time I made this tarte, I decided to cut back on the sugar and butter a little bit, but I still didn't make the healthiest option Dorie gives (in the original recipe). I did not put any pieces of butter on the bottom layer, and I added much less sugar and melted butter on top (exact quantities noted below). Honestly, the tarte still tasted just as great and I could not tell the difference... so, when I make this again (and I definitely will!), I will go with the middle-of-the road option.
Thanks Leslie, for hosting this week. If you would like the recipe, you can find it here. Make sure you check out the TWD Blogroll, to see how everyone else enjoyed this fall treat! As a reminder, if you'd like to meet Dorie during her current book tour, see if she will be visiting your city here. If you'd like to join us at her cooking class here in Dallas on October 24th, sign up here.
* Recipe notes:
- If you are using Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry, then no need to roll out the dough... it already comes premade in the perfect size for this tarte. So just thaw it and then unfold it directly onto your baking sheet.
- Before arranging the apple layer on the puff pastry, I sprinkled 1 tablespoon of sugar as well as a generous sprinkling of cinnamon (sorry, I didn't measure it out, just eyeballed it) on top (I omitted the extra butter Dorie recommends in the Playing Around section the second time I made this and still loved it).
- Once the apples are layered on, brush the top with 2 tablespoons of melted butter (I found that 3-4 was way too much) and another 1.5-2 tablespoons of sugar. Sprinkle with cinnamon again. Alternatively, you could make a cinnamon and sugar mixture to sprinkle on top and your tart would look less "rustic" than mine did :)
- My tarte was done a few minutes early. I definitely had to cover the edges with some foil to prevent it from burning, in order to get my apples lightly browned.
- For more recipe tips, click here.
- If you are using Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry, then no need to roll out the dough... it already comes premade in the perfect size for this tarte. So just thaw it and then unfold it directly onto your baking sheet.
- Before arranging the apple layer on the puff pastry, I sprinkled 1 tablespoon of sugar as well as a generous sprinkling of cinnamon (sorry, I didn't measure it out, just eyeballed it) on top (I omitted the extra butter Dorie recommends in the Playing Around section the second time I made this and still loved it).
- Once the apples are layered on, brush the top with 2 tablespoons of melted butter (I found that 3-4 was way too much) and another 1.5-2 tablespoons of sugar. Sprinkle with cinnamon again. Alternatively, you could make a cinnamon and sugar mixture to sprinkle on top and your tart would look less "rustic" than mine did :)
- My tarte was done a few minutes early. I definitely had to cover the edges with some foil to prevent it from burning, in order to get my apples lightly browned.
That's a stunning tart! I also wondered about adding cinnamon but decided to stick to the recipe. And I totally agree that you can live without the butter under the apples and less butter on top. I'm so glad you enjoyed this so much you made it twice. Thanks for baking with me this week!
ReplyDeleteNothing beats an easy peasy dessert! Your tart looks absolutely lovely.
ReplyDeleteI took some classes where the chef who cooks a lot of French food, made an apple galette and didn't use cinnamon either, which I thought was strange, until I tasted it and it was so good without. (I like both ways), but I think it is a French thing.
ReplyDeleteYour tart looks great.
This is so pretty! I love apple desserts and could probably eat a good, healthy portion of this :)
ReplyDeleteSues
looks wonderful! i love the variations
ReplyDeleteGreat looking tart. So simple and easy and such an elegant result.
ReplyDeleteMimi
Jaime, this is a great post! love your tips!!!
ReplyDeleteI've got both the apples and the puff pastry...must head into the kitchen now! :)
ReplyDelete~ingrid
I need to buy puff pastry for another recipe so I might as well buy a little more and make this! ;) Thanks!
ReplyDelete-Amalia.
http://buttersweetmelody.wordpress.com
Apples + puff pastry. A sure fire winner :)
ReplyDeletethis looks delicious! i've been seeing so many apple dessert recipes around lately, and its so hard to choose which ones to make!
ReplyDeleteI've been seeing the tart...and those sugar cookies below...on a lot of blogs. Yours are both particularly pretty though.
ReplyDeleteApples without cinnamon is like coffee with cream and sugar. Not very interesting. Pretty tart.
ReplyDeleteThe apples are so well arranged, the tarte looks so pretty!
ReplyDeletetis a fine tarte fine indeed! and for me, cinnamon is always a welcome addition. :)
ReplyDelete