Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
Serves 6-8
Get ready to impress with this timeless French dessert that has a delicious history! Tart Tatin was created by accident in the late 1800s by the Tatin sisters, Caroline and Stéphanie, who ran a small hotel in Lamotte-Beuvron, France. Legend has it that while making a traditional apple pie, Stéphanie accidentally overcooked the apples. Thinking quickly, she placed the pastry dough on top and baked it upside down. When flipped, the caramelized apples were a delightful surprise, and the “Tart Tatin” was born!
Today, this dessert remains a symbol of French culinary charm, with its glossy, golden crown of caramelized apples and flaky pastry. Perfect for cozy evenings or special occasions—this treat is sure to be a favourite! We love it because with very few ingredients we have a dessert ready very quickly!
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1 frozen puff pastry sheet, thawed (we like P.C Brand, or if you’re feeling really ambitious click HERE to learn how to make it yourself!)
1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
7 to 8 apples (3 to 4 pounds), peeled, cored and sliced into thick slices (we love honeycrisp apples, or use your favourite ‘pie’ apples)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Remove pastry from package, roll out and cut out a 10-inch round with a sharp knife, using a plate as a guide. Transfer round to floured plate and chill until required.
- Peel, core and slice apples into 1/2 inch thick slices (try to keep the slices stacked together as much as possible, this will make for easier assembly)
- Spread butter thickly on bottom and side of cast-iron or another 9″ oven-proof pan and sprinkle sugar evenly over bottom. Arrange as many apples as will fit vertically on sugar, packing them tightly in concentric circles. It’s ok if they overlap a little, as they will shrink while they cook.
- Cook apples over medium heat, undisturbed, until juices are deep golden and bubbling, 18 to 20 minutes. (Don’t worry if juices color unevenly.)
- Put pan in the middle of oven rack.
- Bake 10-12 minutes (apples will settle slightly), until you see deep caramelization.
- Remove from oven and quickly lay pastry on top of apples.
- Bake tart until pastry is browned, 10-12 minutes. Transfer skillet to a rack and cool a few minutes before inverting.
- Invert (aka quickly flip over!) onto a cutting board, platter or plate. Replace any apples that stick to skillet. Brush any excess caramel from skillet over apples. Cut into slices. Delicious served with ice cream!
- Cook’s note: Tart can cool in skillet up to 30 minutes. It can also stand, uncovered, up to 5 hours, then be heated over moderately low heat 1 to 2 minutes to loosen caramel.