Go Back
French apple tart

French Apple Tart

This elegant French Apple Tart combines buttery puff pastry with tender, caramelized apples for a dessert that’s as beautiful as it is simple. Light, crisp, and perfectly balanced, it’s the ideal treat for any occasion — from dinner parties to cozy afternoons at home. Ready in under 40 minutes, it brings effortless Parisian charm to your kitchen.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 slices
Course: Baking, Dessert
Cuisine: French
Calories: 290
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Tart
  • 1 sheet butter puff pastry about 25 cm / 10" square, just thawed
  • 2 pieces Gala apples peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (about 0.5 cm thick)
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 5 tsp caster sugar or granulated sugar
For Serving
  • 1 tbsp powdered sugar (icing sugar) for dusting, optional
  • 3 scoops vanilla ice cream for serving

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Your Tray — Place a baking tray in the oven and preheat to 210°C (375°F) or 190°C fan. The hot tray helps the pastry crisp beautifully.
  2. Step 2: Create a Sugared Base — Lay baking parchment on the counter and sprinkle 3 teaspoons of sugar roughly in the shape of the puff pastry sheet to create a caramelized base.
  3. Step 3: Shape the Pastry — Place the pastry sheet on the sugared parchment. Fold the edges inward by 1 cm to form a raised border that holds in the juices while baking.
  4. Step 4: Arrange the Apples — Layer the apple slices in three slightly overlapping rows, fanning them out for a rustic French look.
  5. Step 5: Add the Finishing Touches — Brush the apples and pastry edges with melted butter, then sprinkle the remaining 2 teaspoons of sugar evenly on top for caramelization.
  6. Step 6: Bake to Perfection — Slide the tart (on its parchment) onto the preheated tray. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden and the apples are tender with lightly caramelized edges.
  7. Step 7: Serve and Enjoy — Cut into six portions, dust with icing sugar, and serve warm with vanilla ice cream for the perfect contrast of textures and temperatures.

Notes

Use firm apples like Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp for the best texture. For a patisserie-style finish, brush warm apricot jam over the apples after baking. You can make this tart gluten-free with high-quality GF puff pastry. To enhance crispiness, chill the tart for 10 minutes before baking.