Tarte Tatin

April 4, 2023

tarte_tatin

French cuisine is known for its use of fresh, high-quality ingredients and complex flavor profiles. One of the classically French desserts that exemplifies this is the tarte Tatin, a decadent and delicious pastry made with caramelized apples and a flaky pastry crust. This dessert is believed to have originated in the late 19th century in the town of Lamotte-Beuvron, and is named after the two sisters who popularized it, Stéphanie and Caroline Tatin.

Tarte Tatin is typically made with thinly sliced, tart apples that are caramelized in a butter and sugar mixture until they are tender and golden brown. The caramelization process gives the apples a rich, complex flavor that is complemented by the crisp, buttery pastry crust. The pastry crust can either be traditional shortcrust pastry, or a puff pastry for a more flaky texture.

To make a traditional tarte Tatin, you will need a few key ingredients, including butter, sugar, apples, and pastry dough. While many variations of this recipe exist, the basic steps for making a classic tarte Tatin are as follows:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a heavy-bottomed skillet or pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sugar to the skillet and stir until it is completely dissolved.
Add the sliced apples to the pan, and cook for about 10 minutes stirring occasionally. The apples will begin to caramelize and turn golden brown.
Remove the skillet from the heat and let cool for a few minutes. Arrange the apples in the bottom of the skillet, making sure they are evenly distributed.
Roll out the pastry dough to a thickness of about 1/8 inch, and cut it to the size of the skillet.
Place the pastry dough over the apples, tucking the edges around the sides of the skillet.
Bake the tarte Tatin for about 30-40 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and flaky.
Remove the skillet from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pastry to make sure it is not sticking to the skillet.
Place a large plate over the skillet and carefully flip it over. The tarte Tatin should pop out easily onto the plate.
Serve the tarte Tatin warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Tarte Tatin is a deceptively simple dessert to make, but it requires a bit of finesse to get it just right. The key is to make sure the apples are cooked long enough to caramelize, but not so long that they turn mushy. The pastry crust should be flaky and buttery, but not too thick or heavy.

Overall, the tarte Tatin is a classic French dessert that showcases the beauty and elegance of French cuisine. It is a perfect ending to any meal or a special treat on its own, and is sure to impress even the most discerning of palates. So break out your skillet, grab some fresh apples, and get ready to create a delicious masterpiece that will transport your taste buds straight to the heart of France.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
6-8 apples, peeled and sliced
1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
1 egg, beaten
Whipped cream or ice cream (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Place the butter and sugar in an oven-proof skillet or pie dish and heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture starts to caramelize.
Add the apples to the pan and cook for 5-10 minutes until they start to soften and caramelize.
Remove the pan from the heat and let cool for a few minutes.
Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to a size that will cover the skillet or pie dish.
Place the puff pastry over the apples and tuck in the edges around the sides of the pan.
Brush the pastry with beaten egg.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until the pastry is golden brown.
Remove the tart from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.
Place a large plate over the top of the pan and quickly flip the pan over to release the tart onto the plate.
Serve the tart warm with whipped cream or ice cream on top.

Enjoy your delicious French Tarte Tatin!

French