Apple desserts are my least favorite.
Alan is the apple dessert lover. He's the one who will order the apple crumble anytime it's on the menu; I go for the creme brulees, panna cottas or flourless chocolate cakes. My eyes won't even stop on anything apple on the menu; I'm always surprised when Alan's apple dessert arrives and I didn't even know that was an option.
So when this was made last week it was mostly for him. I knew I'd have a taste or two (just to make sure it was blog-worthy) and the girls would likely enjoy some as well. No one was more surprised than me when I ate an entire piece, reached for a second, then had to have just one more...and then made an entire second apple tarte tatin the very next day!
What makes this apple tarte tatin so much better than other apple desserts are three things, the first being that because the crust is baked on the top, it's crumbly and flaky throughout, not just on the edges. Also, the apple-to-crust ratio is much smaller than something like an apple pie. And then you have the sweet caramel-like glaze that coats it all and brings the flavors and textures together perfectly. The sticky-sweetness that runs down the edges is my favorite - it's what keeps me reaching for that second and third piece.
There are other reasons I love this dessert so much, too. It disappears quickly and there aren't much in the way of leftovers, which can be nice sometimes. It also doesn't take much time or effort to throw together (especially if you're not much of a pastry maker and take the purchased pie dough route). It's also one of the most fun desserts I've made in awhile. Flipping it out of the pan and seeing the gorgeous arrangement of apples along with a dripping caramel sauce is really a pleasure.
If you've never tried making an apple tarte tatin, I highly suggest you give it a try; with apples in season right now it's the perfect time. No one needs to know if you don't share 🙂
Apple Tarte Tartin
This delightful recipe is very simple to make but looks very impressive!
Ingredients
- 4-5 golden delicious apples
- 6 T butter, melted (unsalted)
- 6 T granulated sugar
- pie dough, either your own favorite recipe or store-bought
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425F.
- Peel, core and slice apples into eighths.
- Using an oven-safe skillet (cast iron works great), melt the butter over med-high heat. Sprinkle sugar over butter and stir. Continue cooking sugar and butter until it just starts to turn a deeper color (sort of a pale amber).
- Remove pan from heat and place apples in pan in a circular pattern (be careful, the sugar mixture is extremely hot).
- Place back on heat and allow to cook for about 7-8 minutes longer, or until the bottoms of the apples are nicely browned. (At this point, if you have any extra apple slices you can fit them in now that some of the apples have cooked down). Flip apples and cook for another 7-8 minutes until the other sides are nicely browned.
- Remove pan from heat and quickly top the apples with pie dough. (If your skillet is smaller than the dough you can either cut it to fit or just allow the edges to come up and over the edge of the pan; I like to leave it a bit larger). Make a few slits in the top of dough to allow steam to escape.
- Place pan in oven and bake for 15 minutes or so, until the crust is golden brown. Remove pan from oven (don't forget that the handle will be hot!) and immediately flip onto a wired rack (put foil, parchment paper, etc. under it to catch the drips).
- Enjoy warm or at room temperature!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 400Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 250mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 4gSugar: 27gProtein: 2g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.
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Andrea Meyers says
I love love love apple desserts, and so do all my guys. This wouldn't last long at our house!
the wicked noodle says
Thanks, A! xo
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today says
I just need to get some apples now 🙂
the wicked noodle says
I just bought more today just so I can make this a third time 🙂
Nancy/SpicieFoodie says
I'm also not the biggest apple dessert fan. But for some reason when it comes to apple tarte tatin I go week in the knees. Yours looks gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.
the wicked noodle says
Thanks, Nancy!
Chris says
These apples looks good, this one looks very delicious! Perfect for cold and winter days.
the wicked noodle says
Thanks Chris!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
Tarte Tatin is actually one of my mom's favorite desserts. It's a classic and so darn good!
the wicked noodle says
It really is sooo good! Can't believe I waited so long to make it!
wok with ray says
When I saw your photo, I got this feeling of contraction in my jaw and I know that mouthwatering sensation will follow. The caramelization of this apple pie is amazing! The visual really worked my senses. Nicely done, Kristy! 🙂
the wicked noodle says
Thanks so much, Ray! I can't tell you how much I appreciate your supportive comments. xoxo
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Love apple as tarte tatin or pie. So delicious this time of the year 🙂
Valerie says
Your tart tatin turned out perfectly! I didn't have a cast iron skillet when I made my first tatin so I had to transfer the cooked apples to a baking pan. I spent the evening slapping hands away from the un-flipped cake because I was afraid of what horrors lay underneath. I'll have another go at it, and hope that it turns out this beautiful!
the wicked noodle says
I have no doubt that yours will indeed be beautiful! Thanks, Valerie!
Jen @ Savory Simple says
Very impressive! I found this a difficult dessert to make, mainly because my flipping skills are less than amazing. But you're right- it's one of the best apple desserts out there.
the wicked noodle says
Thanks Jen 🙂
Christine @ Cooking Crusade says
I've never tried tarte tatin before but watching Julia Child's cooking videos and this post is slowly convincing me.. I'm just afraid the apples will fall everywhere on me hehe. I guess it will still taste pretty good though?..
the wicked noodle says
I say give it a shot! And thanks for putting me in the same sentence as Julia Child - that's a first for me 😉
Vicky says
I absolutely love tarte tatin, it's one of my favorites desserts. Your looks fabulous! My mouth is watering 😉
the wicked noodle says
Thank you, Vicky!
Amy says
I'm like that with bananas. And honestly, apples are probably my least favorite fruit to eat in their original state. But I do love them in desserts, especially pie. And I would certainly love this!
the wicked noodle says
You would, Amy!!
The Food Hound says
I make tarte tatin all the time in the winter and fall! One of my FAVE desserts! All that butter, mmmm 🙂
the wicked noodle says
Great minds! 🙂
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Yum, this looks irresistible, Kristy!
the wicked noodle says
Thanks Laura!!
Aly says
I didn't know until recently that the "Tatin" in the name was for the sisters that created it. I thought it was French for upside down or something. 😀 Yours looks very pretty! It is definitely a good apple dessert for those of us that aren't normal apple or fruit dessert people.
the wicked noodle says
I didn't know that, Aly, thanks for sharing!
Lynna says
I simple LOVE apple desserts. If you`re not but you ended up loving this dish, I`m sure I`ll be head of heels in love this this apple tarte tatin as well!
the wicked noodle says
I'll bet you will be, too, Lynna!
kitchenriffs says
I do like apple desserts, so I'm sure I'd like this. In fact I'm positive - I just forwarded the link to Mrs K R, the real dessert maker in our household! Really good looking stuff, and pretty easy to make, too (always a plus in my book). Thanks so much.
the wicked noodle says
I hope you and Mrs. K R enjoy it! I'm making your Kale Salad this week, too!
Wendy Read says
I love apple tarte tatin! Now I must go try your recipe 🙂
the wicked noodle says
I hope you like it, Wendy! I'm off to check out your mojito recipe - that sounds awesome!
Wendy Read says
This looks just delightful!!! I luuuuvvve apple tarte tatin, must try your recipe now 🙂
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Easy apple dessert with caramel? Heck, yes I'm in!!
Susan says
Oh, I am so going to have to make this!
the wicked noodle says
You'll love it, Susan! xoxo