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apple tart feature photo jpeg

Apple Tart

I learned to make this apple tart from a French Chef in one of the first restaurants I worked in. It is simply made by turning some apples into applesauce, rolling out and blind baking a tart shell, filling it with the apple sauce, and topping with sliced apples for the bake. A good basic pie or tart dough is always a good thing to have on hand. It is useful both for sweet and savory applications as well as closed or open pies and tarts. Simple, crumbly shortcrust doughs like this one became common in medieval Europe in the mid 1500s. While it is most common to use white flour to make this type of shortcrust, I prefer whole wheat, which makes a more tender crust and adds more depth of flavor to any pie or tart. It requires a slightly different approach. With a white flour crust, it is really important not to overwork it or it will make a tough crust. With whole wheat, it is the opposite – if you don’t work the dough enough, it will be too delicate to roll out and shape into your baking mold. If you go to roll it out and it falls apart, just ball it up and start again (It may need 5 minutes to rest before it’s manageable).

Ingredients

Scale

tart shell –

  • 2.5 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 8 ounces butter
  • 12 tbsp water

filling –

  • 6 medium-sized apples
  • Sugar, honey or maple syrup
  • Cinnamon
  • Vanilla extract

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Instructions

  1. The simplest way to make this dough is to put all the ingredients in a food processor and blitz it for 30-60 seconds.
  2. As described in the scone recipe (link here), you can also cut the butter in by hand or using a stand mixer.
  3. Once mixed, dust generously with flour and shape the dough into 44-oz discs about 5-6 inches wide and ½-inches thick. This makes them easy to roll out.
  4. Place in the fridge to chill and relax for at least one hour and as long as overnight. They can be kept frozen and ready for use indefinitely.
  5. After the dough has chilled, roll out into a 12-inch circle and line a 9-inch fluted tart pan.
  6. Prick the bottom of the crust all over with a fork to minimize bubbles.
  7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown at 350°.
  8. Make apple sauce. Chop apples into a sauce pan and add sugar and spices. Depending on how sweet or tart your apples are, use more or less sugar and add lemon juice for extra zing.
  9. When your tart is baked and your apple sauce is cooked, slice your apples to go on top. Using a mandoline for this will get you thinner, more even slices that will look nicer and bake more evenly. While not essential, a mandoline is an affordable kitchen tool worth the price.
  10. Fill your tart shell with applesauce. Top with sliced apples and dust with cinnamon.
  11. Bake at 350° for 30-40 minutes.

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  • Author: Ben Lester