French Apple Tart Recipe
Master the classic French Apple Tart quickly with this easy-to-follow recipe featuring a flaky, buttery crust paired with tender, thinly sliced apples seasoned with cinnamon and finished with a glossy apricot glaze. Perfect for any occasion, this elegant tart combines simple ingredients and straightforward steps to deliver a delicious and visually stunning dessert.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Gluten Free
Pastry Crust
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons cold water
Apple Filling
- 4–5 fresh firm apples (such as Granny Smith or Braeburn)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Finishing
- 1 egg yolk, beaten (for brushing)
- 2 tablespoons apricot jam (optional, for glazing)
- Prepare the Pastry Crust: Combine cold, cubed butter with the flour and sugar. Use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add cold water, just enough to bring the dough together. Form into a ball, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Slice the Apples: While the dough chills, peel, core, and thinly slice the apples evenly, about 1/8 inch thick. Toss slices gently with lemon juice and a sprinkle of cinnamon to prevent browning and add flavor.
- Roll Out and Assemble: Roll the chilled dough on a floured surface into a circle slightly larger than your tart pan. Transfer carefully to the pan and trim excess edges. Layer apple slices in a tight spiral from the outside in until the surface is fully covered attractively.
- Add Final Touches and Bake: Brush the apple slices and crust edges with beaten egg yolk for a golden finish. Bake on the middle oven rack at 375°F (190°C) for 35-40 minutes, until crust is crisp and apples are tender.
- Glaze and Cool: Warm apricot jam and brush it over the tart immediately after baking to add shine and subtle sweetness. Let the tart cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use cold ingredients to ensure a flaky crust.
- Slice apples thinly and evenly for uniform cooking and appearance.
- For extra crispness, blind bake the crust for 5-7 minutes before adding apples.
- Do not overcrowd apple slices to avoid sogginess.
- Brushing with warm apricot jam enhances appearance and flavor.
- Chill dough before rolling to improve texture and handling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of tart)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: French apple tart, classic dessert, flaky crust, cinnamon apples, apricot glaze, easy baking