French Apple Tart
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This apple tart recipe is what cozy fall baking is all about—flaky crust, cinnamon-scented apples, and that buttery, straight-from-the-oven goodness you can’t resist.
When you think of French desserts, you might imagine rows of colorful macarons, cream puffs, and glossy fruit tarts in a Parisian pastry shop. But at home, the French tend to keep things simple. This rustic French apple tart is the perfect example—like an apple pie without the pan, it features a buttery, flaky crust and cinnamon-spiced apples. Can’t you just picture it cooling on a windowsill in the French countryside?
If making homemade pastry feels intimidating, don’t stress! The dough for this apple tart recipe is surprisingly easy. It comes together in minutes in the food processor and rolls out like a dream. Best of all, with a free-form tart, there’s no need to fuss with crimping it into a pie plate—you simply fold the dough over the fruit. The charm of this dessert is in its imperfect, homemade look.
Once you’ve mastered this one, try my plum galette, which swaps apples for juicy, sweet plums. It’s another simple, elegant French-style dessert that always impresses.
“This is officially on the holiday dessert starting line up! I can’t stop going back for another bite! I truly love, love, love this tart.”
What you’ll need to make a french apple tart
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the crust and provides structure to the dough and tart.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to the crust and filling, balancing the tartness of the apples.
- Butter: Makes the crust rich and flaky while also adding flavor to the filling.
- Baking apples: Use varieties like Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Fuji, Granny Smith, or Golden Delicious—and use a mix of different apples for the best flavor. Heads up: it can be tempting to load up the tart with extra apples, but less is more here—the apples release quite a bit of juice, which can leak from the tart and make a mess of the crust and your oven.
- Vanilla extract & Cinnamon: Adds warmth and enhances the sweetness in the apple filling.
- Egg: Brushed onto the crust for a golden, glossy finish.
- Turbinado sugar: Sprinkled on the crust and apples for added sweetness and a crunchy texture.
- Apricot jelly or jam (optional): Used to glaze the apples, giving them a glossy finish and adding a subtle fruit flavor.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the pastry dough. Start by making the pastry. In a food processor fitted with the steel blade, combine the flour, salt, and sugar, and pulse a few times to mix. Add the cold butter and pulse again just until the pieces are about the size of peas—this should only take a few seconds. Sprinkle the ice water over the mixture and pulse a few more times, just until the dough looks moistened and crumbly.
Step 2: Form and chill the dough. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead it a few times—just until it comes together into a smooth ball. Pat it into a disk, then lightly flour your surface and the dough. Roll it into a rough 8- to 10-inch circle, adding a little more flour as needed so it doesn’t stick. Move the dough to a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate while you make the filling. (You’ll roll it out further on the parchment later, so you can go ahead and clean your work surface now.)
Step 3: Make the apple filling. Peel, core, and slice the apples about ⅛ inch thick (you should have roughly 4 cups) and place them in a large bowl. Add the sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, melted butter, and salt, and toss until the apples are evenly coated.
Step 4: Assemble the tart. Take the dough out of the fridge and slide the parchment onto your counter. Roll it out, right on the parchment, into a 14-inch circle about ⅛ inch thick. Transfer the parchment and dough back to the baking sheet so the edges curve slightly up the sides. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of flour evenly over the dough, then arrange the apple slices in overlapping circles, leaving a 3-inch border.
Fold the edges of the dough up over the apples. Brush the crust with the beaten egg and sprinkle turbinado sugar over the edges and fruit. Chill the tart for 15 to 20 minutes while you preheat the oven.
Step 5: Bake and finish. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, until the apples are tender and the crust is golden and fully cooked. Transfer the pan to a rack and let the tart cool. While it cools, make the optional glaze: in a small bowl, mix the apricot jam with 1½ teaspoons of water and heat in the microwave until bubbling, about 20 seconds. Brush the warm glaze over the apples for a beautiful glossy finish. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature. The tart is best served on the day it is made, but leftovers will keep nicely for a few days.
Video Tutorial
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French Apple Tart
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 12 tablespoons (1½ sticks) very cold unsalted butter, cut into ½-in (13-mm) pieces
- ¼ cup very cold water
For the Filling
- 1¾ lbs baking apples (3 large) (see note)
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
For Assembling & Baking
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar
- 1 tablespoon apricot jelly or jam (optional), for glaze
Instructions
- Make the crust: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a food processor fitted with the steel blade, combine the flour, salt, and sugar. Pulse briefly to combine. Add the cold butter and process just until the butter is the size of peas, about 5 seconds. Sprinkle the ice water over the mixture and process just until moistened and very crumbly, about 5 seconds. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead a few times, just until it comes together into a cohesive ball. Pat the dough into a disk. Flour your work surface again and dust the dough with flour, as well. Using a rolling pin, roll into a circle 8 to 10 in (20 to 25 cm) in diameter, turning and adding more flour as necessary so the dough doesn’t stick. Transfer the dough to the parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate while you prepare the filling (you’ll roll the dough out further on the parchment paper, so go ahead and clean your work surface).
- Make the Filling: Peel, core, and cut the apples into ⅛-in (3-mm) thick slices (you should have about 4 cups) and place in a large bowl. Add the sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, melted butter, and salt; toss to combine.
- Take the dough from the fridge and slide the parchment paper onto the countertop. Roll the dough, directly on the parchment paper, into a 14-in (36-cm) circle about ⅛-in (3-mm) thick. It’s fine if the edges are a little ragged. Place the parchment and dough back on the baking sheet—the pastry should curve up the lip of the pan.
- Assemble the tart: Sprinkle the flour evenly over the pastry. Arrange the apple slices on top in overlapping concentric circles to within 3 in (7.5 cm) of the edge. Don’t worry about making it look perfect! It doesn’t make much difference in the end, and you don’t want the dough to get too warm. Fold the edges of the dough over the apples in a free-form fashion, working your way around and creating pleats as you go. Patch up any tears by pinching a bit of dough from the edge.
- Using a pastry brush, brush the pleated dough evenly with the beaten egg. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the turbinado sugar over the top crust and 1 tablespoon over the fruit. Chill the assembled tart in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and set an oven rack in the center position.
- Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crust is golden and cooked through. (It’s okay if some of the juices leak from the tart onto the pan. The juices will burn on the pan but the tart should be fine—just scrape any burnt bits away from the tart once it’s baked.) Transfer the pan to a rack and let cool.
- While the tart cools, make the optional glaze. In a small bowl, mix the apricot jam with 1½ teaspoons water. Heat in the microwave until bubbling, about 20 seconds. Using a pastry brush, brush the apples with the apricot syrup.
- Use two large spatulas to transfer the tart to a serving plate or cutting board. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature. The tart is best served on the day it is made, but leftovers will keep, loosely covered on the countertop, for a few days.
Notes
- Be sure to use baking apples that hold their shape when cooked, such as Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Fuji, Granny Smith, or Golden Delicious. And use a mix of different varietals for the best flavor.
- Make-Ahead/Freezing Instructions: The dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and refrigerated. Allow it to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes or until pliable before rolling. The assembled tart may be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, place the baking sheet in the freezer until the tart is frozen, then wrap tightly. (Wait until right before baking the tart to brush the beaten egg and sprinkle the sugar onto the crust.) Bake directly from the freezer. (It may take a few extra minutes to bake from frozen.)
Nutrition Information
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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Easier than an Apple Pie. A lighter version of an Apple Pie. Only changed I made was to lessen the sugar to 1/4 cup since my apples were sweet. Perfect dessert after Caesar Salad, Lasagna and Garlic Bread! Happy New Year!
I have to admit that I’m not typically a fan of Apple pies or tarts, that said, I made it as a Christmas dessert for my man. He loved it and so did I. The crust is flaky and crispy and the filling was tart, I used Granny Smith apples, with the right amount of sweetness. Thanks for a great recipe and Merry Christmas.
I have made this fabulous apple galette many times now, and the crust is so good, and the only one I have ever made successfully. I wonder if I could make a lemon curd in it? Would I have to blind bake it..and is there an easy trick to this?
Thanks for your recipes, Jenn. You make my cooking taste like I know what I’m doing!
Glad you’ve had success with this! When you say you’d like to use lemon curd, are you saying you’d like to add that to the apples or use it on its own?
I would like to make a lemon meringue pie with this crust. Possible?
Best of the season, Jenn!
Hi Monique, I’ve never tried it, but I think it would work. Happy holidays! 🙂
Can I use a stand mixer to make the crust if I don’t have a food processor?
Hi Jocelyn, I would “cut” the butter in using a pastry cutter or two knives. You could also “rub” the butter into the flour mixture with your fingers. Enjoy!
This turned out very well. I’ve made it twice and the second time I made two tarts with the recipe instead of one, rolling out each of the two crusts 10×10 instead of 14×14 and folded them over about 2 1/2 inches instead of 3 inches. Worked perfectly and enabled me to give smaller tarts to a couple of friends.
This turned out delicious. It did take me 2 hours, but it was worth it. I did not have any apricot glaze, so I made my own apple glaze by boiling the scraps of the apples with 1/4 cup sugar and water to cover, then strained it after it became a syrup. Excellent recipe! Far more moist than an apple pie. I forgot to buy ice cream but it didn’t even need it.
This is more of a general comment for Jenn.
I just want to thank you for freely offering so many recipes. Once Upon a Chef has become my GO TO because your recipes have never failed me. Everything always comes out fantastic! You have really upped my game. My feeling is that if you’re going to do the work in the kitchen, why not make it taste awesome every time? Thank you so much Jenn!
❤️
I agree — her recipes are AMAZING and she is so committed to her blog. Such a professional. I’ve purchased her cookbook as hostess gifts as whenever I serve her recipes people ALWAYS ask for the recipe!
❤️
Hi Jenn,
I’ve made this a few times, and each time I follow directions for keeping butter cold but when I bake it the butter seeps out and separates from the dough. It’s absolutely delicious anyway, but the crust is literally sitting in a small pool of butter when it comes out. Any ideas? I’m at 5000 ft, but I usually don’t find much of an impact on baking. Thanks!!
Hi Lena, although it’s not 100 percent, the altitude could be playing a small part. I’d try increasing the oven temp by 25 degrees. The bake time will be shorter so keep a close eye on it.
This is my go to apple tart recipe! The dough is so easy to work with and has such a nice flaky texture. Always a big hit at the table!
I have made this tart so many times I can almost make it from memory. It is delicious
This recipe has become my favorite apple dessert. The crust is so delicious and the apples are perfectly spicy and sweet. My family loves it!