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    Cucina by Elena » Recipes » Pie and Pastry » Best Easy French Apple Tart Recipe

    Best Easy French Apple Tart Recipe

    Published: Oct 9, 2020 · Modified: Feb 19, 2022 by Elena · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    apple tart, apples, French apple tart, apple tart, easy apple tart,
    Beautiful and rustic French Apple Tart

    Apple Tart Dreams

    During the fall season I dream of all things warm and cozy like this apple tart. This gorgeous tart is what fall baking dreams scream! It screams warm, comforting, simple apple taste, and the perfect all butter crust. For this recipe I used the Ultimate All Butter Pie Crust recipe. The French love butter and well, so do I! If you prefer another type of crust you could also use Grandma Rhea's Pie Crust. Either will complement the apple flavors nicely. For this tart you partially blind bake the crust first and then assemble the apples and finish baking at a later time. The two-step process makes this a great prep in advance dessert. Thea tart is filled with a thin layer of homemade apple sauce, a little on the chunky side, and topped with a pretty swirl of apples. That's it! Perfect for entertaining, or a special afternoon treat with a cup of tea.

    Making the Apples Pretty

    The "Wow" factor in this tart is making the apples look pretty. All you need to know is: cut them thin and put a little jam to make them glossy when you are finished! Easy peasy and stunning. Before baking the tart use a pastry brush over the apples with lemon butter. This will ensure a tender baste as the apples cook. The more colorful the apples the prettier the top will appear. For this tart I used the Pink Lady variety since I like the slightly pink hue. You could use any variety such as Honey Crisp, Fuji, or Gala. I like that the apple edges get a darker in color as they bake to make the tart look rustic. To elevate the darker contrast even more I broil the tart for 2 minutes.

    Made with Amore,

    Elena

    French apple tart, apple tart, beautiful tart, easy apple tart, french dessert
    Mesmerizing Apple Swirls

    A Classic French Dessert

    Traditionally French and most European desserts are not served with ice cream...BUT... since I currently live in America, I think it is perfectly acceptable!

    0Z4A3950 683x1024, CucinaByElena
    Add a little "extra" with vanilla ice cream

    Wow your guests with this Easy and Gorgeous French Apple Tart.

    0Z4A3949 683x1024, CucinaByElena
    The Perfect way to End any Meal

    More Sweets for YOU:

    Italian Pear Cake

    Lemon Yogurt Loaf (blueberries optional)

    ALL THE SWEETS HERE

    Print
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    apple tart, apples, French apple tart, apple tart, easy apple tart,

    Easy French Apple Tart

    ★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
    • Author: Elena
    • Prep Time: 15 min
    • Cook Time: 35-40 min
    • Total Time: 55 minutes
    • Yield: 12 servings 1x
    • Category: Sweet/ Dessert
    • Method: French
    • Cuisine: Italian/ French
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    This gorgeous and delicious French Apple Tart is a tribute to pure apple flavor. It is perfect for entertaining and pairs perfect with an afternoon cup of tea! This will be a recipe you make and remake for years to come! 


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • One recipe of the Ultimate All Butter Pie Crust OR Grandma Rhea's Vegan Pie Crust (follow instructions in recipe to partially blind bake the crust, use a 9"inch baking dish)
    • 4 medium apples, cored, and thinly sliced
    • 1 cup (8 oz), applesauce (homemade or store bought)
    • 1 TBS butter, melted
    • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
    • 1 tsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
    • 2 TBS apple or apricot jam

    Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F
    2. Set aside the partially blind baked pie crust in 9" inch pan 
    3. In a small bowl combine the melted butter, lemon juice and vanilla extract. Mix well. Set aside.
    4. Spoon the applesauce in the bottom of the prepared blind baked pie crust. Cover bottom completely.
    5. Arrange the thinly sliced apples in a circular pattern around the pie dish. Starting with the outer edge, slightly overlapping the apple, and working towards the center of the pie.
    6. After apples are arranged us a pastry brush to cover the apples with the melted butter, lemon, and vanilla mixture
    7. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the apples are golden brown. If the crust starts to brown too much cover the edges with tin foil. 
    8. After the tart is done baking, brush the top of apples with jam to make glossy.
    9. If desired, place the tart back in the oven on Broil for 2 minutes to brown the apples a little more. 

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @cucinabyelena on Instagram when you make the recipe! I would love to see it. Don't forget to leave a STAR RATING and REVIEW on this post. Thank you!

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    Comments

    1. Michelle Rapp says

      November 27, 2020 at 7:40 pm

      For Thanksgiving I wanted something a bit traditional, but different as well. My husband and I lived in France for a time, and he fell in love with French apple tarts. So I made this in the hope that it would resemble the “real thing”. It did not disappoint!! This recipe of Elena’s was perfect!! It looked like a traditional American pie and tasted just like a French tart! It was delicious and not difficult to make. Thank you Elena!!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Elena says

        November 29, 2020 at 1:16 pm

        Thanks Michele! I am so happy you got a little taste of France in your own home.
        - Elena

        Reply

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