Description: Tarte Tatin is a delicious French dessert consisting of caramelized apples baked in a pastry crust. Unlike traditional apple pies, Tarte Tatin is baked upside down, with the pastry on top and the apples on the bottom. This unique baking method results in tender, caramelized apples and a golden, flaky crust. Tarte Tatin is often served warm, either on its own or with a dollop of crème fraîche or vanilla ice cream.
History: Tarte Tatin is said to have been created accidentally at the Hotel Tatin in Lamotte-Beuvron, France, in the late 19th century. The story goes that the Tatin sisters, who ran the hotel, were preparing a traditional apple pie but forgot to place the pastry crust on the bottom of the pan. To salvage the dessert, they placed the pastry on top of the apples and baked it upside down. The result was a deliciously caramelized and inverted tart that became known as Tarte Tatin.
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Serving Size: Makes 8 servings
Ingredients:
- 6-8 medium-sized apples (such as Granny Smith or Gala)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed if frozen
- Crème fraîche or vanilla ice cream, for serving
Instructions:
- Prepare the Apples:
- Peel, core, and slice the apples into quarters.
- In a large skillet or ovenproof frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Sprinkle the sugar evenly over the melted butter in the skillet.
- Arrange the apple quarters in the skillet, rounded side down, in a circular pattern, fitting them snugly together.
- Caramelize the Apples:
- Cook the apples over medium heat until the sugar and butter mixture caramelizes and turns a deep golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.
- Rotate the skillet occasionally to ensure even caramelization.
- Once the apples are caramelized, remove the skillet from the heat and let it cool slightly.
- Prepare the Pastry:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface into a circle slightly larger than the skillet.
- Assemble and Bake:
- Carefully place the puff pastry over the caramelized apples in the skillet, tucking in any excess pastry around the edges.
- Using a sharp knife, make a few small slits in the pastry to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Bake the tart in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and crisp.
- Flip and Serve:
- Once the tart is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the skillet for 5-10 minutes.
- Place a serving plate over the skillet and carefully invert the tart onto the plate, using oven mitts to protect your hands.
- Serve the Tarte Tatin warm, accompanied by a dollop of crème fraîche or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.