Description
A delightful and easy-to-make Puff Pastry Apple Tart featuring thinly sliced spiced apples atop flaky, golden puff pastry. This recipe combines the warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg with the sweetness of brown sugar and honey for a perfect dessert or snack that bakes up beautifully in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit and Spices
- 3 small/medium apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- Pinch of sea salt
Dough & Fats
- 1 puff pastry sheet, thawed
- 3 tablespoons melted butter, divided
Optional Glaze
- 2 tablespoons honey (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the tart.
- Prepare apples: Peel and slice the apples very thin. In a small bowl, toss the sliced apples with 2 tablespoons of melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt, ensuring all slices are evenly coated with the flavorful mixture.
- Prepare the puff pastry base: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay the thawed puff pastry sheet on the parchment. Using a sharp knife, score a border about 1 inch from the edge all around the pastry without cutting fully through—this helps the edges puff up and contain the apple juices.
- Dock pastry center and brush border: Prick holes with a fork in the center area inside the scored border to prevent excessive puffing. Brush the border with the remaining 1 tablespoon of melted butter for a golden finish.
- Assemble the tart: Arrange the spiced apple slices neatly on the puff pastry inside the border—three even rows are suggested, but you can get creative with your arrangement.
- Bake the tart: Place the tart in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the puff pastry edges are puffed and golden brown. Check after 15 minutes and monitor every 2 minutes to avoid overbaking.
- Add the honey glaze: Remove the tart from the oven. If using, gently brush the tops of the baked apples with honey, warming the honey slightly in the microwave for about 15 seconds to thin it out before brushing.
- Cool and serve: Allow the tart to cool for several minutes to set before slicing and serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Ensure apples are sliced thinly for even cooking and a tender texture.
- Scoring the pastry border is crucial to keep the apples and juices contained without losing puffiness.
- Use a sharp knife for scoring to avoid cutting through the pastry fully.
- Optionally warm honey to make glazing easier and more even.
- This tart is best enjoyed the same day but can be stored refrigerated and gently reheated.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative.
