French Recipe: Apple Tarte Tatin

What is better than making French tart tatin on a culinary vacation in France! The famed tart is named after the Tatin sisters, who owned a hotel in the 1880s; after burning some apples that they’d been cooking with butter and sugar, they hastily served them with a delicate flaky pastry top. They popped this in the oven, and the dough cooked evenly and the apples caramelized. When the dish was turned right side up, it was a beautiful dish — and one that you can make today!

Apple Tarte Tatin

Serves: 10 Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 40 minutes Cook method: Bake Ingredients:

• 6-8 apples (depending on size)
• 6 oz granulated sugar
• Puff pastry
• 6 Tbsp unsalted butter cut into cubes

Instructions: 1. Preheat over to 400 degrees F. 2. Peel and core the apples and cut each into six sections. 3. Heat the sugar in a heavy, oven-proof 10 to 12″ saucepan and cook very gently until the caramel is golden. 4. Remove the pan from the heat and add 4 Tbsp butter, stirring well until it is completely incorporated (note that the caramel will bubble up so be careful). 5. Arrange the apples close together in a circular pattern in the skillet. Cook over medium low for 10-15 minutes, being careful not to burn the caramel. 6. Sprinkle the apples with sugar and dot with the remaining butter, then drape a circle of chilled puff pastry over the top, tucking the edges in to completely encase the apples. 7. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown. 8. Remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes. Use a sharp knife to loosen around the edges, then invert the tart carefully onto a plate. Serve with vanilla ice cream or Chantilly cream. NB: Instead of using a single skillet, you can also make the caramel separately, and before step 6 transfer to a tart tatin or other baking dish, arranging the apples as indicated. Try another amazing recipe featuring apples. Discover more delicious French recipes such as this one with a culinary tour of France, or try our a la carte dessert classes in Paris. Contact us for details, or see all our culinary vacation itineraries. Check out a recipe for Pear Tarte Tatin! By Peg Kern Sign up to receive our newsletter, which includes travel tips, recipes, promotions, and information on our best cooking vacations. Find more photos, videos, food facts, and travel stories from The International Kitchen on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and YouTube.