Easy Salted Caramel Apple Tart Recipe: A Delicious 30-Minute Dessert
If you’re a fan of caramel apples, prepare to be amazed by this Easy Salted Caramel Apple Tart. This delightful dessert is crafted with just a handful of simple ingredients and comes together in a mere 30 minutes. The combination of buttery puff pastry, tangy apples, sweet and sticky caramel, and a sprinkle of sea salt creates a symphony of flavors that’s hard to resist.
The inspiration behind this tart stems from my love for Salted Caramel Apple Hand Pies. The marriage of tart apples and chewy caramel encased in homemade pie crust pockets was already a winner. However, driven by a desire to simplify things, I decided to transform this beloved sweet and salty combination into a quick and easy 30-minute dessert: the Easy Salted Caramel Apple Tart.
This apple tart recipe offers flexibility, allowing you to make it as homemade or as store-bought as you prefer, depending on your time and preferences. The ingredient list remains concise, highlighting the core flavors of buttery pastry, crisp apples, luscious caramel, and a hint of sea salt. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the way it allows each ingredient to shine.
Feel free to showcase your knife skills by replicating the pattern I’ve created, or embrace a more rustic aesthetic by arranging the apple slices in any way you like. For a fun twist, you can even create individual tarts, inspired by my Blueberry Cream Cheese Pastries.
If you’re more inclined towards candy than caramel, don’t miss out on my reliable recipe for crunchy, crackly Candy Apples!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s incredibly easy to make. This caramel apple tart requires just 8 ingredients, including readily available store-bought puff pastry and caramel sauce. It only takes about 30 minutes to prepare.
- It looks impressive. The layered arrangement of the apple tart makes it appear like a sophisticated dessert, while requiring minimal effort. It’s a showstopper without the stress!
Ingredients
- Puff pastry: Store-bought puff pastry forms the base of this delectable tart. Opt for all-butter puff pastry for the most authentic and rich flavor. This will elevate the taste of your dessert.
- Granny Smith apples: Granny Smith apples provide a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness, complementing the caramel sauce and sea salt beautifully. Other tart apples like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Braeburn can also be used.
- Lemon juice: Tossing the apple slices in lemon juice prevents them from browning, ensuring they maintain their appealing color. It also enhances their natural flavor.
- Brown sugar: Using brown sugar adds a subtle caramel flavor to the apple tart, enhancing its overall richness. You can substitute it with granulated sugar if needed.
- Caramel sauce: You have the option to make your own caramel sauce or use store-bought. Both options work wonderfully in this recipe! Homemade caramel adds a special touch, while store-bought provides convenience.
- Sea salt: A sprinkle of sea salt on top of the caramel apple tart enhances all the flavors, creating a harmonious balance of sweet and savory. It’s the perfect finishing touch. Flaky sea salt is recommended for the best texture and flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: Elevates the aroma and brings out the flavors of the Apples
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
- Swap out the caramel sauce. Instead of caramel, consider using store-bought or homemade butterscotch sauce. This adds a unique twist to the tart, complementing the apples perfectly.
- Use a different type of apple. If Granny Smith apples aren’t readily available, opt for another type that’s tart and firm, such as Jonagold or Honeycrisp. These varieties maintain their texture during baking and offer a delicious flavor profile.
- Add Spices: Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice over the apples before baking to add warmth and depth of flavor.
- Include Nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds over the apples for added texture and nutty flavor.
- Glaze with Apricot Jam: Brush the baked tart with warmed apricot jam for a glossy finish and a hint of fruity sweetness.
How to Make Easy Salted Caramel Apple Tart
This apple tart with puff pastry comes together in just 30 minutes! Follow these simple steps for a perfect dessert.
- Preheat the oven. Preheat the oven to 425ºF (220ºC) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat mat. This ensures the tart doesn’t stick and is easy to remove.
- Slice the apples. Slice the apples into thin, 1/4-inch (6mm) pieces. In a large bowl, toss the apple slices with lemon juice, vanilla extract, and brown sugar. This prevents browning and adds flavor.
- Prep the puff pastry. Unfold the sheet of puff pastry and place it onto the prepared baking sheet. Lightly score the puff pastry, using a knife to cut a border into (but not through!) the pastry 1 inch (2.5cm) from the edges. Then, prick the pastry all over with a fork. This prevents the pastry from puffing up too much in the center.
- Add the apples. Gently shake off any excess liquid from the apples, then arrange on the puff pastry, making sure to stay inside the border. Overlap the slices slightly for an appealing presentation.
- Brush with egg wash. Whisk together the egg and a tablespoon of water, then use a pastry brush to brush the edges of the dough. This gives the pastry a golden-brown color and a glossy finish.
- Bake. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and puffed. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
- Add the toppings. After removing the tart from the oven, drizzle with the caramel sauce, sprinkle with sea salt, slice, and serve immediately. The combination of warm tart, sweet caramel, and salty finish is simply divine.
Pro Tip: For consistently thin slices of apples, consider using a mandoline. Always use the mandoline’s guard or cut-resistant gloves to prevent injuries.
Kelly’s Recipe Tips
- Thaw Your Puff Pastry the Right Way: Ensure you thaw your puff pastry in the refrigerator overnight. Thawing at room temperature can make it challenging to unroll without tearing.
- Buy Parchment Paper Sheets: Pre-cut parchment paper sheets are a convenient alternative to rolls. They are easier to handle and lay flat on baking sheets.
- Make It Look Fancy: For an elegant apple tart, start at a corner of the puff pastry and slightly overlap the apple slices as you arrange them.
Kelly’s Note: This tart is best enjoyed fresh. However, if you have leftovers, you can reheat them in the oven or toaster oven until warmed through and the pastry is crispy again.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best apples for tarts?
- For apple tarts, it’s best to use firm and slightly tart apples. This helps balance the sweetness and prevents the apples from becoming too mushy during baking. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, and Braeburn apples are excellent choices.
- What’s the difference between an apple pie and an apple tart?
- Apple pies typically have two layers of pie dough, either a double crust or a lattice top. Apple tarts, on the other hand, consist of a pastry base and an apple filling. The pastry base in a tart can also be thicker than typical pie dough.
- Can you use puff pastry for the bottom of a tart?
- Absolutely! Puff pastry makes a wonderfully flaky and buttery base for tarts. This caramel apple tart recipe uses puff pastry for its base. You can also use puff pastry as the base for a galette.
More Apple Recipes You’ll Love
- Apple Cinnamon Banana Bread
- Easy Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip
- 30-Minute Apple Fritters
- Muffin Tin Apple Pies
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Easy Salted Caramel Apple Tart
Kelly Senyei
10
mins
17
mins
27
mins
8
servings
Ingredients
-
1
sheet
(half of a 17.3-ounce package) puff pastry, thawed -
2
small Granny Smith apples -
2
Tablespoons
lemon juice -
2
teaspoons
vanilla extract -
3
Tablespoons
brown sugar -
1
large egg -
1/4
cup
homemade or store-bought caramel sauce -
Sea salt, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat.
- Slice the apples into thin (about 1/4-inch) pieces. Place them in a large bowl then add the lemon juice, vanilla extract and brown sugar to the bowl, tossing to thoroughly combine. Set aside.
- Unfold the sheet of puff pastry onto the lined baking sheet. Lightly score the dough by cutting a border 1 inch from the edges (do not cut through the pastry). Prick the pastry all over with a fork. Shake off any excess liquid from each apple slice then arrange them on the puff pastry inside the border area.
- Whisk together the egg with 1 Tablespoon water. Brush the edges of the pastry with the eggwash then bake the tart for 15 to 17 minutes until golden and puffed.
- Remove the tart from the oven oven, drizzle it with caramel sauce and sprinkle it with sea salt. Slice and serve immediately.
Kelly’s Notes
- Thaw Your Puff Pastry the Right Way: Be sure to thaw your puff pastry in the fridge (overnight works!). Letting it thaw at room temperature will make it harder to unroll.
- Buy Parchment Paper Sheets: If you find a roll of parchment paper to be annoying, just buy pre-cut sheets of it.
- Make It Look Fancy: For a fancy-looking apple tart, start in a corner of the puff pastry and overlap the apple slices.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Nutrition
238
kcal,
Carbohydrates:
29
g,
Protein:
3
g,
Fat:
12
g,
Saturated Fat:
3
g,
Cholesterol:
20
mg,
Sodium:
110
mg,
Potassium:
86
mg,
Fiber:
1
g,
Sugar:
9
g,
Vitamin A:
60
IU,
Vitamin C:
3.5
mg,
Calcium:
16
mg,
Iron:
1
mg