Puff pastry apple tarts are easy and turn out elegant. They combine the buttery flakiness of puff pastry with the sweet and tangy goodness of apples, making for a dessert that's impressive yet achievable for even beginning bakers. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep work, you can whip up a stunning tart that's perfect for everything from a casual weekend brunch to a fancy dinner party.
You know I love easy recipes and this one is easy. I still remember the first time I made this. I was intimidated by using puff pastry but it is so easy! Other easy apple desserts include this 3 ingredient apple dump cake, these made from scratch apple bars and this quick and easy apple spice cake using cake mix. If you are looking more for a pastry-type dessert (or breakfast), this puff pastry apple strudel is amazingly good but still super easy!
Table of contents
Why I love these tarts
Simple Perfection: Apples and puff pastry are the main ingredients! This recipe is all about simple, quality ingredients.
So Easy: Puff pastry makes these tarts a breeze to throw together. There's no need to stress about rolling out the dough; just unfold, bake, and enjoy.
Weeknight Win: Skip the difficult desserts. This tart is perfect for a quick and satisfying treat. It's elegant enough for weekend guests too!
Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone loves apple pie, and this tart is just as delicious (and easier to make!).
Ingredients
Frozen Puff Pastry Sheets are so easy to use. You should thaw them by refrigerating them overnight. They can be a challenge to find in the grocery store, but I can often find them by the frozen pies. If you have never used these, there are normally two sheets in a box. They come rolled in thirds with parchment between the layers. For this recipe, we are only using one pastry sheet.
Fresh Apples—I like using Honeycrisp apples for baking, but any type of baking apple will work. Granny Smith apples are also popular for this type of recipe.
Note that I do not peel mine. I like the color of the peel.
Butter - For baking, unsalted butter is the norm. However, I use whatever butter I happen to have handy.
Apricot Preserves - Optional glaze using heated apricot preserves.
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Step 1
We are using only 1 puff pastry sheet to make 4 apple tarts. Since there are 2 sheets in the package, you can easily double this recipe. Per the box instructions, ensure the pastry sheet has been allowed to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
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Step 2
Core and slice apples into thin slices. I cut up more than I need because I'd rather have extras (cut up 2 medium sized apples)
Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. I cut it into 4 pieces (a pizza cutter works great)!
Step 3
I separate the four pieces, pinch the corners to give them a little more shape, add the sliced apples, sprinkle sugar and cinnamon on top, and add the small butter chunks evenly on top.
Step 4
Bake for 20 minutes, watching closely the last couple of minutes. The pastry should be browned and the apple edges should also be browning.
OPTIONAL glaze - I add an apricot glaze but that is totally optional. I like the shiny look, and it keeps the tarts moist if not eaten the first day.
Warm up ¼ cup apricot preserves (microwave) and brush the apples and pastry with it after they are taken out of the oven. I usually have a little of the preserves left over, and that's OK!
Remove apple tarts from the baking sheet and place on a wire rack to cool. They always look so good I can't help myself and eat them when they are hot! They are best eaten when warm or at room temperature. I don't add any whipped cream or ice cream because these are pretty and delicious without!
FAQs
No. By cooking at 400 degrees and having them sliced thin, they cook well enough.
I have made them the day before I wanted to serve these, and they were still great!
Storage
Refrigerator: In an airtight container or well wrapped, these are good in the refrigerator for 2 days.
Freezer: After completely cooling, these can be wrapped in plastic wrap and then foil wrap. The apricot preserve may be a little sticky so if planning to freeze, I would add that prior to serving. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Other Delicious Apple Desserts
Printable Recipe Card
Puff Pastry Apple Tart
Ingredients
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry from the grocery store
- 2 small Honeycrisp apples Thinly sliced (cut through from stem then slice)
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon to be sprinkled on each of the 4 tarts
- 3 teaspoons butter cold and unsalted (it'll be fine if it's salted!)
- ¼ cup aprocot preserves optional
Instructions
- Puff pastry should be thawed overnight in the refrigerator.
- Preheat oven to 400℉. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut apples in ½ from top to bottom (starting where the stem is). Then, remove the core with a sharp knife or a metal measuring spoon. Slice apples thin. Place a row of apple slices diagonally, overlapping slightly. Place an apple slice on each side of the row to fill the pastry.Sprinkle some sugar and cinnamon on top. Use as much as you like—I usually have some of both left over. Then, evenly distribute butter onto tarts.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Once out of the oven, warm optional apricot preserves until liquid, then brush over the entire tart, ensuring the apples and the pastry are covered.
Notes
Nutrition (I am not a nutritionist. These are estimates only)
Please pin to your Pinterest account.
Esme Slabbert
Oh wow, Susan, this is my style - love the easy puff pastry and have pinned it to make it later.
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