If you are looking for a simple dessert that looks like it came straight from a French bakery, this French Apple Tart is just what you need! Made with flaky puff pastry, thinly sliced apples, and a sweet glaze, this beautiful tart is surprisingly easy to make.
The combination of buttery pastry and tender, caramelized apples creates a delicious dessert that is perfect for fall gatherings, holiday celebrations, or simply enjoying with a cup of coffee.
The best part? You don't need to be an experienced baker to make this gorgeous apple tart. With just a handful of ingredients and a little preparation, you can create a dessert that looks impressive and tastes even better.
This rustic apple tart recipe is flavored with sliced apples glazed with apricot preserves and will make anyone appreciate the art of baking with fruit. It reminds me of my Rustic Apple Pie Recipe.
And, it may look daunting, but trust me -- this is one easy dessert that you will be able to make without any problems whatsoever.
What Is a French Apple Tart?
A French Apple Tart is a classic dessert featuring thinly sliced apples arranged over a pastry crust and baked until golden brown.
Unlike a traditional American apple pie, which typically has a thick apple filling and a top crust, a French Apple Tart features a single layer of beautifully arranged apples on an open pastry base.
This version uses store-bought puff pastry to make the process even easier. The result is a light, flaky crust topped with sweet apples and a glossy finish.
How to Make a Classic French Apple Tart
Start by making the apple tart crust. For the pastry, place the flour, salt, and Dixie Crystals Sugar in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Pulse for a few seconds to combine. Add the butter and pulse 10 to 12 times, until the butter is in small bits the size of peas.
Roll the dough slightly larger than 10 by 14-inches. Using a ruler and a small knife, trim the edges, then place the dough on the prepared sheet pan and refrigerate while you prepare the apples.
Next -- let's prepare the apples. I love getting produce from Melissa's Produce when I have a lot of recipes to make. She has the best in-season fruit and veggies perfect for any occasion.
Slice the apples crosswise in ¼-inch thick slices. Place overlapping slices of apples diagonally down the middle of the tart and continue making diagonal rows on both sides of the first row until the pastry is covered with apple slices.
Taking ½ cup of apricot preserves, heat them in the microwave for 35 seconds until heated through. Using a pastry brush, brush the apples with the apricot mixture.
Now, sprinkle ½ cup of sugar over all the apples. Do your best to sprinkle it on evenly.
Dot with butter pats.
Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the pastry is browned and the edges of the apples start to brown. Rotate the pan once during cooking.
The apple juices will burn in the pan but the tart will be fine! You are going to wind up with some burnt edges and that is okay. It tastes amazing with the apples.
Tips for Making the Best French Apple Tart
Choose the right apples. Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and Granny Smith apples are excellent choices because they hold their shape during baking.
Slice the apples evenly. Thin, uniform slices will cook at the same rate and make your tart look beautiful.
Keep the puff pastry cold. If the pastry becomes too warm while you are preparing the apples, place it in the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes before baking.
Don't overload the pastry. Arrange the apples in a single layer of overlapping slices so the crust can bake properly without becoming soggy.
Use a different glaze. If you don't have apricot preserves, apple jelly is another delicious option for brushing over the finished tart.
What to Serve with French Apple Tart
This French Apple Tart is delicious on its own, but you can make it even more special with a few simple additions.
Serve a warm slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic combination. A dollop of freshly whipped cream is another wonderful option.
For an extra indulgent dessert, drizzle a little warm caramel sauce over the tart just before serving.
It also pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or tea for an afternoon treat.
How to Store Leftover Apple Tart
Store leftover French Apple Tart in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, place individual slices in a 350°F oven for approximately 5–10 minutes, or until warmed through and the pastry becomes crisp again.
Avoid reheating the tart in the microwave if possible, as this can make the puff pastry soft.
Check Out the Other Bloggers in This Roundup!
More #FallFlavors Recipes Below:
Appetizers and Snacks
- Caramel Pecan Clusters from An Affair from the Heart
- Carrot Top Hummus from Savory Moments
- Fall Charcuterie Board from Magical Ingredients
- Roasted Red Pepper and Crab Savory Cheesecake from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
- Sweet And Spicy Roasted Nuts from Karen's Kitchen Stories
Breakfast and Baked Goods
- Apple Cranberry Pecan Overnight Oats from Jolene's Recipe Journal
- Cinnamon Apple Bread from Lemon Blossoms
- Sweet Potato Pancakes from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
Soups and Salads
- Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup from Devour Dinner
- Panera Autumn Squash Soup from The Fresh Cooky
- Salmon Salad With Grapes And Pecans from Art of Natural Living
Side Dishes
- Apple Butter Dijon Roasted Brussel Sprouts With Candied Pecans And Green Apple from Soulfully Made
- Butternut Squash And Bacon Risotto from SueBee Homemaker
- Loaded Bacon And Kale Salad from Palatable Pastime
- Roasted Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts And Butternut Squash from Eat Move Make
- Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash from Hostess At Heart
Main Dishes
- Apple Cider Rubbed Pork Chops from That Recipe
- Thai Butternut Squash Curry from Cheese Curd In Paradise
- Butternut Squash Parmesan Pasta from Frugal & Fit
- Grape & Gorgonzola Pizza from The Spiffy Cookie
- Honey Dijon Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner from Simple and Savory
- How To Air Fry Pork Tenderloin With Sweet Potatoes from West Via Midwest
Desserts
- Butter Pecan Fudge from Take Two Tapas
- Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake from Fresh April Flours
- Easy Apple Crisp from Life Love and Good Food
- Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies from Books n' Cooks
- French Apple Tart from Jen around the world
- Individual Grape Crumble from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Pumpkin Roll from House of Nash Eats
- Pumpkin Snickerdoodles from Family Around The Table
- Slow Cooker Apple Pear Crisp from Blogghetti
French Apple Tart
This classic french apple tart is perfect for the fall and winter when you have a dinner party. Easy to prepare and a beautiful table decoration that is edible!
Ingredients
For the pastry
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 ½ sticks of cold unsalted butter, diced
- ½ cup ice water
For the apples
- 4 apples of your choice
- ½ cup sugar
- 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, small diced
- ½ cup apricot jelly or jam, warmed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- For the pastry, place the flour, salt, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Pulse for a few seconds to combine.
- Add the butter and pulse 10 to 12 times, until the butter is in small bits the size of peas. With the motor running, pour the ice water down the feed tube and pulse just until the dough starts to come together.
- Dump onto a floured board and knead.
- Roll the dough slightly larger than 10 by 14-inches. Using a ruler and a small knife, trim the edges. Place the dough on the prepared sheet pan and refrigerate while you prepare the apples.
- Slice the apples in ¼-inch thick slices. Be sure to remove the core and stem from the apples.
- Place overlapping slices of apples diagonally down the middle of the tart and continue making diagonal rows on both sides of the first row until the pastry is covered with apple slices.
- Warm ½ cup of apricot jam in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Spread on top of the apples using a pastry brush.
- Sprinkle with the full ½ cup of sugar and dot with the butter.
- Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the pastry is browned and the edges of the apples start to brown. Rotate the pan once during cooking.
- Loosen the tart with a metal spatula so it doesn't stick to the paper. Allow to cool and serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 463Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 61mgSodium: 89mgCarbohydrates: 62gFiber: 3gSugar: 32gProtein: 4g
It's so pretty!! I would like an entire one to myself + a giant tub of ice cream... Please!
This apple tart is a simple recipe but you get such a divine dessert. I can't wait to dig in.
I always have a ton of extra apples and this sounds lovely.
Love this beautiful tart, especially love that you kept the skin on the apples, I do that too!
Loving all those apple layers!
Beautiful tart! So pretty, I wouldn't want to cut into but Oh for sure I will!
This for sure is a show stopper! Love it!
Love that you do the crust in the food processor! So pretty and so delicious!
This is beautiful to look at and has to be great to eat. Can't wait to try!
Apples are my favorite thing about fall and this tart looks so elegant and really delicious.
Mine too. I have a TON of recipes using apples.
What a beautiful tart! It's as fun to make as it is to eat! Perfect fall dessert!
My absolute favorite dessert and so very impressive.