Classic French Tarte Tatin Recipe

Ingredients

  • 6 large, firm apples (like Braeburn or Golden Delicious)
  • 1/2 cup of unsalted butter
  • 1 cup of granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon of fine sea salt
  • 1 sheet of puff pastry (thawed if frozen)

Steps and instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  2. Peel the apples, cut them into quarters and remove the cores.
  3. In a 9-inch ovenproof skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the sugar, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Cook until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to simmer.
  4. Remove the skillet from the heat. Arrange the apples in the skillet with the cut sides down, packing them as tightly as possible. Return the skillet to the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. During this time, do not stir the apples; just let them cook.
  5. While the apples are cooking, roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to a circle that's slightly larger than the top of your skillet.
  6. When the apples are done cooking, remove the skillet from the heat again. Carefully lay the puff pastry over the top of the apples, tucking it in around the edges of the skillet.
  7. Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed up.
  8. Once done, remove the skillet from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. Then, carefully invert the tarte onto a large serving plate.
  9. Serve the Tarte Tatin warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of crème fraîche.

Tools for making

  • Peeler - To peel the apples before slicing them.
  • 9-inch Ovenproof Skillet - Used to cook the apples and assemble the Tarte Tatin. Ensure that it is oven-safe.
  • Rolling Pin - To roll out the puff pastry into a circle.
  • Flour - Used to lightly dust the surface when rolling out the puff pastry.
  • Large Serving Plate - To invert the Tarte Tatin onto for serving.
  • Oven - To preheat and bake the Tarte Tatin.
  • Spatula or Tongs - To carefully flip and serve the Tarte Tatin.

Recipe variations

  • Use a different type of fruit, such as pears or peaches, instead of apples.
  • Experiment with different spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom, to add flavor to the caramel.
  • Try using a different type of pastry, such as shortcrust pastry or filo dough, instead of puff pastry.
  • Add a sprinkle of chopped nuts, such as walnuts or almonds, for added texture.
  • For a savory twist, substitute the apples with caramelized onions and top with cheese.
  • Make a gluten-free version by using gluten-free puff pastry or almond flour crust.
  • Add a touch of liquor, like rum or brandy, to the caramel for a boozy flavor.
  • Top the Tarte Tatin with a drizzle of caramel sauce or a dusting of powdered sugar before serving.

Recipe overview

Get ready to impress your guests with this classic French dessert, Tarte Tatin. This upside-down caramelized apple tart, named after the Tatin sisters who invented it, is a deliciously sweet and tart treat that's sure to please. In this recipe, you'll learn how to create this masterpiece with a golden, flaky puff pastry topped with luscious caramelized apples. While it might look fancy, it's surprisingly simple to make. You'll start by caramelizing apples in a mixture of butter and sugar, then top them with a sheet of puff pastry and bake until it's beautifully golden. The final step? Flip it upside-down to reveal a glossy, caramel top layer of perfectly cooked apples. The result is a stunning dessert that's perfect served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of crème fraîche. Enjoy the journey of making this lovely dessert and savor every bite!

Common questions

  1. What type of apples should I use for Tarte Tatin? You can use large, firm apples like Braeburn or Golden Delicious for the best results.
  2. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter? It's best to use unsalted butter in this recipe to have better control over the overall saltiness of the dish.
  3. How long should I cook the apples before adding the puff pastry? Cook the apples in the skillet for around 15-20 minutes until they are tender and caramelized.
  4. Can I use pre-made puff pastry? Yes, you can use pre-made puff pastry for convenience. Just make sure to thaw it if it was frozen before using.
  5. What's the best way to serve Tarte Tatin? Tarte Tatin is best served warm. You can enjoy it on its own or pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of crème fraîche.

Serving dishes and utensils

  • 9-inch ovenproof skillet - You will need a skillet that is safe to use in the oven for cooking the apples and baking the tarte.
  • Rolling pin - A rolling pin is necessary for rolling out the puff pastry to the desired thickness.
  • Flour - Flour is needed for dusting the surface when rolling out the puff pastry.
  • Large serving plate - You will need a large serving plate for inverting the cooked tarte onto for presentation.
  • Ice cream scoop - An ice cream scoop comes in handy for serving the Tarte Tatin with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
  • Crème fraîche - Crème fraîche can be used as a topping for the Tarte Tatin instead of ice cream.
  • Oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves - Oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves are necessary for handling the hot skillet and removing it from the oven.

Origin stories

An interesting tale is woven around the origin of Tarte Tatin. As the story goes, in the late 1800s in France, two sisters, Stéphanie and Caroline Tatin, ran a hotel and restaurant in the small town of Lamotte-Beuvron. Known for their culinary skills, they had quite the reputation in the region. One busy day, Stéphanie, who did most of the cooking, was preparing an apple tart. In the hassle and bustle of the kitchen, she accidentally left the apples and sugar on the stove for too long. Not wanting to waste the caramelized apples, she quickly topped them with a pastry crust and put the pan in the oven. She planned to flip it right-side-up before serving. The guests loved the dessert so much that it became a regular on their menu, eventually becoming famous throughout France as the 'Tarte Tatin'.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.