Save A decadent tart featuring a buttery crust filled with warmly spiced apples and rich homemade caramel, finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for the perfect balance of sweet and salty. This Salted Caramel Apple Tart brings together the elegance of a French-style pastry with the comforting, bold flavors of spiced apples and rich caramel.
Save This dessert is a showstopper for any occasion, from cozy family dinners to elegant celebrations. The process of caramelizing the sugar and preparing the spiced apples creates an irresistible aroma that fills the entire home.
Ingredients
- Tart Crust: 1 1/4 cups (160 g) all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter (cold and diced), 1/4 cup (30 g) powdered sugar, 1/4 tsp fine sea salt, 1 large egg yolk, 2–3 tbsp ice water.
- Spiced Apple Filling: 5 medium apples (about 700 g, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced; 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar; 1/4 cup (50 g) light brown sugar; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg; 1/8 tsp ground allspice; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 2 tbsp unsalted butter.
- Salted Caramel Sauce: 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar, 3 tbsp (45 ml) water, 1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy cream, 3 tbsp (45 g) unsalted butter, 1/2 tsp flaky sea salt (plus more for topping).
Instructions
- 1. Prepare the crust
- In a food processor, pulse flour, sugar, and salt. Add cold butter; pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg yolk and 2 tbsp ice water; pulse just until dough forms. Add more water if needed. Shape into a disk, wrap, and refrigerate 30 minutes.
- 2. Shape and prep
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface and fit into a 9-inch tart pan. Trim excess. Prick base with a fork. Line with parchment and fill with baking weights.
- 3. Blind bake
- Blind bake crust for 15 minutes. Remove weights and parchment; bake 8 more minutes or until lightly golden. Let cool.
- 4. Prepare spiced apples
- In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with sugars, spices, and lemon juice. In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add apples and cook 5–7 minutes until just tender but not mushy. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- 5. Make the caramel
- In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and water. Cook over medium heat without stirring until deep amber, 6–8 minutes. Remove from heat, carefully whisk in cream (mixture will bubble). Add butter and sea salt; whisk until smooth. Cool slightly.
- 6. Assemble
- Arrange spiced apples in the cooled tart crust. Drizzle with about half of the caramel sauce.
- 7. Final bake
- Bake tart at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes, until apples are bubbling and crust is golden. Cool on a rack.
- 8. Serve
- To serve: Drizzle with remaining caramel and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Achten Sie darauf, die Butter für den Teig eiskalt zu verwenden, um eine besonders mürbe Textur zu erzielen. Wenn Sie das Karamell zubereiten, rühren Sie den Zucker nicht um, sondern schwenken Sie den Topf nur vorsichtig, um Kristallisation zu vermeiden.
Varianten und Anpassungen
Für extra Crunch können Sie eine Handvoll geröstete, gehackte Pekannüsse oder Walnüsse zur Apfelfüllung hinzufügen. Wer es eilig hat, kann eine hochwertige gekaufte Karamellsauce verwenden, doch das hausgemachte Karamell bietet das beste Aroma.
Serviervorschläge
Servieren Sie die Tart am besten warm oder bei Zimmertemperatur. Eine Kugel Vanilleeis passt hervorragend dazu und ergänzt die warme Apfelfüllung und das salzige Karamell perfekt.
Save Savor every bite of this exquisite salted caramel apple tart, a perfect marriage of flaky pastry, tender fruit, and rich caramel glaze.
Recipe Guide
- → How do I ensure the crust stays crisp?
Blind bake the crust with parchment and baking weights to prevent sogginess. This creates a firm base that holds the filling without becoming soft.
- → Which apples work best for the spiced filling?
Tart and firm varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp hold shape well and provide a balanced sweet-tart flavor after cooking.
- → How can I make the caramel sauce without burning it?
Cook the sugar and water over medium heat without stirring until it turns deep amber. Then carefully whisk in cream and butter off the heat for a smooth caramel.
- → Can I add nuts for extra texture?
Yes, toasted chopped pecans or walnuts mixed into the apple filling or sprinkled on top add a pleasant crunch and nutty aroma.
- → What is the best way to serve this tart?
Serve slightly warm or at room temperature. It pairs wonderfully with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream to balance the richness.