Apple Tart

By Becky Hardin

Published Nov 14, 2023

Homemade apple tart on a plate is a delicious dessert. - 2

This easy homemade apple tart recipe is perfect for a delicious and simple dessert. - 3

This rustic Apple Tart recipe features a thin layer of spiced apples on a flaky crust, and it’s so easy to make for any holiday or occasion. The brown sugar, cinnamon, and fresh apple filling is delectable, and making this beautiful rose design is really simple.

A slice of apple tart on a piece of paper. - 4

Why We Love This Easy Apple Tart Recipe

This stunningly delicious apple tart is made even more beautiful by carefully arranging the apples into a rose shape. While not necessary for a delicious tart, it doesn’t take too much longer to do, and it’s sure to wow your guests.

Variations on an Apple Rose Tart

There are quite a few modifications you can make to this recipe if you’re missing certain ingredients. You can swap the butter for vegetable shortening, and the apricot preserves for another flavored jam. In place of the apples, you could also use pears!

A tart with apple slices arranged in a rose design. - 5

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover apple tart in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Enjoy at room temperature or gently warmed in the microwave.

How to Freeze

Freeze apple tart slices tightly wrapped in 2 layers of plastic wrap and 1 layer of aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.

Serving Suggestions

Make this gorgeous apple rose tart the centerpiece of your next gathering. Serve it with scoops of pumpkin ice cream , dollops of whipped cream , or a drizzle of caramel sauce .

Apple pie has a thin and smooth crust, whereas tarts are made with a thicker and crumblier crust.

The best apples for tarts are firm and crisp varieties, like Granny Smith, Gala, or Honey Crisp.

This tart should be served warm or at room temperature for the best flavor.

More Apple Dessert Recipes To Try

Homemade Apple Pie
Dutch Apple Pie
Apple Cake
Apple Cobbler
Apple Bundt Cake
Apple Cupcakes
Browse all apple recipes !

Ingredients1x2x3x

For the Crust

▢ 1½ cups all-purpose flour 180 grams
▢ ¼ cup granulated sugar 50 grams
▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
▢ ½ cup unsalted butter 113 grams, cold and cut into cubes (1 stick)
▢ 1 large egg 50 grams
▢ ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 grams

For the Filling

▢ 4 large apples about 600 grams
▢ ½ cup brown sugar 107 grams
▢ 1 tablespoon lemon juice 14 grams (from ½ lemon)
▢ ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
▢ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
▢ 2 tablespoons apricot preserves 43 grams, melted

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Add the flour, sugar, and salt to a food processor. Process for a few seconds until combined. 1½ cups all-purpose flour, ¼ cup granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Add in the butter cubes, and pulse until the mixture resembles crumbs. ½ cup unsalted butter
Add in the egg, and vanilla extract. Continue pulsing until the mixture forms larger wet crumbs. 1 large egg, ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, and form into a ball. Roll out the dough into an even layer.
Transfer the dough to a tart pan, pressing it into the bottom and sides of the pan. Trim the excess dough that spills over the top of the pan.
Freeze the crust for at least 30 minutes.
Place a piece of parchment paper or tin foil over the top of the crust, gently pressing it into the sides and middle of the crust. Fill with pie weights, dried beans, dried rice, sugar, or popcorn kernels.
Bake for 20 minutes.
Thinly slice the apples using a mandoline slicer. If making a rose design, be sure to reserve 3-4 paper thin apple slices to coil up in the middle of the tart. 4 large apples
Combine the apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. ½ cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Arrange the apples in an even layer over the dough. To make a rose design, begin by placing the apples in an upright position along the crust and staggering as you work around the circle. Continue until you reach the middle of the tart. Take the paper thin apple slices and gently coil them into a rose and place it in the middle of the tart.
Bake for 45-55 minutes.
Brush the apples with apricot preserves before serving. 2 tablespoons apricot preserves

Equipment

Kitchen Scale (optional)
Food Processor
Rolling Pin
Tart Pan
Mandoline Slicer

Becky’s Tips

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

How to Make an Apple Tart Step by Step

Make the Dough: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Add 1½ cups of all-purpose flour, ¼ cup of granulated sugar, and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt to a food processor. Process for a few seconds until combined. Add in ½ cup of cubed unsalted butter, and pulse until the mixture resembles crumbs. Add in 1 large egg and ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract . Continue pulsing until the mixture forms larger wet crumbs.

A food processor filled with a mixture of flour. - 7

Shape the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, and form into a ball.

Roll and Trim: Roll out the dough into an even layer. Transfer the dough to a tart pan, pressing it into the bottom and sides of the pan. Trim the excess dough that spills over the top of the pan. Freeze the crust for at least 30 minutes.

A pie crust with a knife next to it. - 9

Blind Bake: Place a piece of parchment paper or tin foil over the top of the crust, gently pressing it into the sides and middle of the crust. Fill with pie weights, dried beans, dried rice, sugar, or popcorn kernels. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Dried beans in a parchment-lined pie pan on a table. - 10

Slice the Apples Thinly slice 4 large apples using a mandoline slicer. If making a rose design, be sure to reserve 3-4 paper-thin apple slices to coil up in the middle of the tart. Combine the apples, ½ cup of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract in a large bowl.

Sliced apples in a bowl with a knife. - 11

Make the Rose Design: Arrange the apples in an even layer over the dough. To make a rose design, begin by placing the apples in an upright position along the crust and staggering as you work around the circle. Continue until you reach the middle of the tart. Take the paper-thin apple slices and gently coil them into a rose and place it in the middle of the tart.

A rose apple tart in a pan with a slice of apple on top. - 12

Bake the Tart: Bake for 45-55 minutes. Brush the apples with apricot preserves before serving.

A tart with apples and a sauce on top. - 13

A slice of apple tart on a piece of paper. - 14

Apple Tart Recipe

Equipment

Kitchen Scale (optional)
Food Processor
Rolling Pin
Tart Pan
Mandoline Slicer