Description
Delight in these easy-to-make Puff Pastry Apple Tarts featuring thinly sliced cinnamon-spiced apples atop crispy, golden puff pastry. Finished with an optional apricot glaze and served with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce, these tarts offer a perfect balance of buttery, sweet, and fruity flavors in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry Base
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- Raw sugar, for sprinkling
Apple Filling
- 2 large apples, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Optional Toppings
- 2 tablespoons apricot jam + pinch of water
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving
- Caramel sauce, for serving
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheets and cut each into squares. Arrange 4 squares on each baking sheet, ensuring even spacing.
- Score Pastry Edges: Using a sharp knife, lightly score a square about 1/2 inch from the edge on each pastry square. Be careful not to cut all the way through; this helps the edges puff up during baking.
- Butter the Pastry: Spread a small amount of softened butter evenly over each square to add flavor and promote browning.
- Mix Cinnamon Sugar: Combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a bowl, then sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of this mixture over each pastry square.
- Arrange Apples: Layer the thinly sliced apples neatly on top of the cinnamon sugar on each pastry square.
- Sprinkle Raw Sugar: Optionally, sprinkle a little raw sugar over the apples for an extra crunchy topping.
- Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes until the pastry is golden brown and crisp, and the apples are tender.
- Prepare Apricot Glaze (Optional): Warm the apricot jam mixed with a pinch of water in the microwave for 10-15 seconds until loose. Brush this glaze over the warm apple tarts to give them a shiny, glossy finish.
- Serve: Serve the tarts warm, optionally topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce, or simply dusted with powdered sugar for a simple touch.
Notes
- Make sure puff pastry is fully thawed before working with it for best results.
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a balance of sweetness and tartness.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and use vegan puff pastry.
- These tarts are best served fresh but can be reheated in the oven to restore crispness.
- If you don’t have apricot jam, you can skip the glaze or substitute with honey or maple syrup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: puff pastry apple tarts, apple dessert, easy apple tarts, cinnamon apple dessert, puff pastry recipes, fall desserts
