James Martin French Apple Tart With Puff Pastry
James Martin’s French Apple Tart is a beautiful dessert featuring puff pastry as the base, topped with thinly sliced apples that are brushed with butter and sugar before being baked to perfection. The simplicity of this recipe allows the apples’ natural sweetness to shine, while the puff pastry provides a light and crisp texture. This tart is often finished with a glaze for an irresistible shine.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 25
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
- Puff Pastry: A ready-made puff pastry sheet is ideal for convenience.
- Apples: Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Braeburn to hold their shape.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps caramelize the apples.
- Sugar: For sweetness and creating a caramelized top layer.
- Apricot Jam or Glaze: Gives a beautiful glossy finish to the tart.
- Cinnamon (Optional): Adds a hint of warmth and spice.
Instructions
- Prepare the Puff Pastry: Roll out the puff pastry sheet onto a floured surface to your desired thickness and transfer it to a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Slice the Apples: Core the apples and slice them thinly using a sharp knife or mandoline for even slices.
- Arrange the Apples: Layer the apple slices neatly on top of the puff pastry, slightly overlapping them in rows or in a spiral pattern for a more decorative look.
- Brush with Butter and Sugar: Melt the butter and brush it over the apples, then sprinkle sugar evenly across the top.
- Bake the Tart: Place the tart in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the pastry is golden and the apples are caramelized.
- Glaze the Tart: Once baked, warm the apricot jam slightly and brush it over the apples to give them a beautiful shine.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the tart to cool on a rack before slicing and serving.