Tarte Tatin: COLLECTION

This classic French upside-down tart is the epitome of rustic elegance. Tart cooking apples are slowly cooked in a bubbling bath of butter and brown sugar until deeply caramelized and tender. A simple, buttery pâte brisée covers the fruit before baking, emerging golden and crisp. The result is a stunning contrast between the soft, jammy apple filling and the shatteringly flaky crust. It’s an irresistible treat for weekend brunches, romantic dinners, or as a comforting finale to a heavy meal. Serve slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of crème fraîche to balance the richness. This recipe includes both traditional oven-baked and quick microwave variations for every occasion.

Courses: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 75

Description

This classic French upside-down tart is the epitome of rustic elegance. Tart cooking apples are slowly cooked in a bubbling bath of butter and brown sugar until deeply caramelized and tender. A simple, buttery pâte brisée covers the fruit before baking, emerging golden and crisp. The result is a stunning contrast between the soft, jammy apple filling and the shatteringly flaky crust. It’s an irresistible treat for weekend brunches, romantic dinners, or as a comforting finale to a heavy meal. Serve slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of crème fraîche to balance the richness. This recipe includes both traditional oven-baked and quick microwave variations for every occasion.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 egg
0.5 tsp salt
3 Tbs heavy cream
0.75 cup unsalted butter
0.5 cup unsalted butter (softened)
0.33 cup brown sugar
0.33 cup white sugar
4-5 tart firm cooking apples
4 tart eating apples

Directions

1
Prepare the Pâte Brisée: Place flour in a large bowl. Add egg, salt, cream, and 0.75 cup unsalted butter. Gradually blend ingredients into a smooth pastry dough. Chill for 2 hours before rolling out to 3-5mm thickness.
2
Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F. Butter a 22cm tart pan thickly. Mix 0.33 cup brown sugar and 0.33 cup white sugar, then spread evenly over the bottom of the pan.
3
Peel, core, and slice apples. Arrange them in a neat, tight pattern over the sugar in the pan. Dot with the remaining 0.5 cup softened butter.
4
Cover the pan with the rolled pastry, allowing it to overhang the edges. Bake for 25 minutes until the pastry is golden brown.
5
Remove from oven. Let cool for a few minutes, then turn the pan upside-down onto a serving plate. Lift off the pan to reveal the tart. If necessary, broil briefly until apples are deeply caramelized.
6
For Microwave Variation: Melt 50g butter on a microwave browning plate at 100% power for 8 minutes. Peel, core, and cut 2 apples into 12 wedges each. Place apples on the hot butter and dust with 80g sugar.
7
Cook uncovered at 100% power for 2 minutes. Transfer apples to a 15cm Corning dish and dot with remaining butter. Cook at 70% power for 3 minutes, then turn apples over.
8
Cover carefully with pastry, piercing holes in the top. Cook at 70% power for 3 minutes, ignoring any pastry bubbling. Turn dish upside-down onto a plate and allow 5-6 minutes to cool before lifting off.

Note

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave before serving.

Substitutions: Use Granny Smith or Braeburn apples for best results as they hold their shape. You can substitute half the butter in the pastry with lard for a flakier crust.

Tips: Ensure the caramel is hot before adding apples to prevent sticking. If the tart sticks to the pan, run a knife around the edge and let it cool for another minute before inverting.

Variations: Add a splash of Calvados or Grand Marnier to the caramel for an adult twist. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Keywords: tarte tatin, apple tart, french pastry, caramelized apples, upside down cake, pate brisee, buttery crust, dessert recipe, oven baked, microwave dessert, fruit tart, classic french, brown sugar caramel, flaky pastry, comfort food, brunch dessert, holiday baking, easy pastry, apple dessert

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/tarte-tatin-collection/