The Timeless Barefoot Contessa French Apple Tart Recipe

Barefoot Contessa French apple tart beckons with its elegant simplicity and rustic charm.

Delicate pastry cradles golden apples in a dance of sweet sophistication.

Home bakers adore this refined dessert for its approachable technique and impressive presentation.

Rich butter notes weave through crisp fruit layers, creating a harmonious sensory experience.

Seasonal ingredients transform into a stunning centerpiece that whispers of French countryside kitchens.

Subtle caramelization adds depth and complexity to each tender bite.

Mastering this recipe promises a delightful journey into classic pastry artistry: prepare to enchant your guests.

Essential Picks for French Apple Tart

• Flour: Soft, all-purpose flour provides the foundation for a tender, crisp pastry crust.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the tart.
• Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness and helps with browning the pastry.
• Butter: Cold, unsalted butter creates flaky, rich layers in the pastry.
• Ice Water: Helps bind the dough together without overworking the gluten.

• Apples: Fresh, firm baking apples like Granny Smith or Golden Delicious with a good balance of tartness and sweetness.

• Sugar: Sprinkled on top to create a caramelized, golden surface.
• Butter: Dotted on top to enhance richness and promote browning.
• Apricot Jelly, Calvados: Creates a glossy, elegant finish with a hint of French sophistication.

Step-by-Step Guide for French Apple Tart

Step 1: Craft the Buttery Pastry Dough

Toss flour, salt, and sugar into a food processor. Pulse to blend. Add cold butter pieces and pulse until mixture looks like tiny pebbles. Slowly stream in icy water while running the processor until dough forms. Knead gently on a floured surface, shape into a ball, wrap in plastic, and chill in the refrigerator for minimum one hour.

Step 2: Prepare Baking Station

Warm the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Ensure rack is in the center position.

Step 3: Shape the Pastry Canvas

Roll out chilled dough into a rectangular shape slightly larger than 10×14 inches. Trim edges carefully. Transfer to prepared baking sheet. Return to refrigerator while preparing apples.

Step 4: Transform the Apples

• Crisp, firm apples
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board

Peel apples completely. Slice in half through stem. Remove cores carefully. Cut into thin, uniform slices about 1/4 inch thick.

Step 5: Design Apple Arrangement

Layer apple slices in elegant diagonal rows across pastry. Overlap slightly to create beautiful pattern. Sprinkle generously with sugar. Dot surface with small butter pieces.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place tart in preheated oven. Bake 45-60 minutes until pastry turns golden brown and apple edges caramelize. Rotate tray halfway through cooking. Puncture any puffy pastry spots with knife tip.

Step 7: Add Luxurious Glaze

Warm apricot jelly with splash of Calvados or water. Brush mixture gently over baked tart for shiny, professional finish.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Allow tart to cool slightly. Slide spatula underneath to loosen from baking sheet. Slice into elegant portions. Serve warm or at room temperature. Perfect with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Expert Hints for French Apple Tart

• Chill Dough for Perfection: Refrigerate pastry for at least 30 minutes to relax gluten and prevent tough crust, ensuring a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Master Even Apple Slicing: Use a sharp knife or mandoline to create uniform apple slices, guaranteeing consistent baking and an Instagram-worthy presentation.
• Prevent Soggy Bottom: Sprinkle almond flour or breadcrumbs on the crust before adding apples to absorb excess moisture and maintain a crisp base.
• Glaze for Gourmet Finish: Brush warm apricot jam over the baked tart for a professional-looking shine and added layer of sweet flavor.
• Serve at the Sweet Spot: Let the tart cool for 15-20 minutes before slicing to allow filling to set and ensure clean, beautiful cuts.

Keep French Apple Tart Fresh

• Countertop Storage: Keep the french apple tart uncovered at room temperature for up to 8 hours after baking. This method preserves the delicate pastry's crisp texture and allows the flavors to develop fully. Ideal for serving at gatherings or enjoying the same day it's prepared.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Protect the tart's delicate layers by wrapping it carefully in plastic wrap or storing in a sealed container. Refrigeration extends the tart's life to 3-4 days, maintaining its apple-almond essence and buttery crust. Gently warm to room temperature before serving to revive its original freshness.
• Freezing Technique: Shield the tart completely by first wrapping in plastic wrap, then adding a protective layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months without compromising taste or texture.

Innovative Spins on French Apple Tart

• Apple Almond Crunch: Sprinkle sliced almonds over the apples before baking for added texture and nutty flavor. Toast the almonds lightly to enhance their richness.
• Caramel Spice Infusion: Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the tart after baking and dust with cinnamon and nutmeg. The spices will create a warm, comforting aroma.
• Maple Pecan Upgrade: Replace sugar with maple syrup and scatter chopped pecans across the tart surface. Brush with maple glaze during the last 10 minutes of baking for deeper sweetness.
• Lavender Honey Variation: Mix dried lavender and honey into the butter before dotting on the apples. The floral notes will complement the fruit's natural sweetness.

Closing Reflections on French Apple Tart

Culinary masterpieces often emerge from simple ingredients, and Barefoot Contessa’s French apple tart embodies this delightful truth.

Elegant pastry combined with caramelized apple slices creates an irresistible dessert that whispers French countryside charm.

Homemade perfection radiates through each golden-brown slice, promising sensory delight with its buttery crust and tender fruit.

Subtle sweetness balanced by rich pastry transforms an ordinary afternoon into a gourmet experience.

Professional techniques merge with rustic simplicity, inviting home bakers to explore French patisserie magic.

Passionate cooks – savor this recipe, share its delectable story with friends, click that like button, spread the deliciousness across your favorite social platforms, and let sweet inspiration flow!

Fall for the Elegance of French Apple Tart

• Craft a Stunning Pastry Masterpiece: This French apple tart transforms simple ingredients into an elegant dessert that looks like it's straight from a Parisian bakery. The carefully rolled pastry and meticulously arranged apple slices create a visual feast that impresses without requiring professional baking skills.
• Unlock Rich, Caramelized Flavor Perfection: Baking the tart at a high temperature allows the apple edges to caramelize beautifully, developing a deep, complex sweetness. The combination of butter, sugar, and apples creates a mouthwatering flavor profile that balances sweetness with subtle tartness.
• Enjoy Versatile Serving Simplicity: This tart shines as a sophisticated dessert for dinner parties yet remains relaxed enough for casual weekend treats. Whether served warm or at room temperature, it adapts to any occasion – from elegant gatherings to cozy family dinners – making it a flexible and crowd-pleasing choice.

Barefoot Contessa French Apple Tart Recipe

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4.7 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Classic French apple tart embodies Ina Garten’s elegant simplicity, showcasing buttery puff pastry topped with thinly sliced apples and a delicate apricot glaze. Delightful dessert promises a taste of French countryside charm, inviting you to savor each sublime, golden-edged bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruits:

• 4 Granny Smith apples

Dry Ingredients:

• 250g (2 cups) plain flour
• 100g (½ cup) sugar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Wet and Cold Ingredients:

• 170g (12 tablespoons / 1½ sticks) unsalted butter, cold & diced
• 55g (4 tablespoons / ½ stick) unsalted butter, cold & diced
• 120 milliliters (½ cup) ice-cold water
• 120g (½ cup) apricot jelly or warm sieved apricot jam
• 2 tablespoons Calvados, rum, or water

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Instructions

1. Craft the pastry foundation by blending flour, salt, and sugar in a food processor. Introduce chilled butter cubes and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Gradually stream ice-cold water while processing until the dough coheres. Transfer to a lightly floured surface, gently knead into a compact sphere, encase in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes to stabilize the texture.
2. Activate the oven to 200°C/180°C fan (400°F) and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet. Ensure the surface is clean and ready for pastry placement.
3. Expertly roll the chilled dough into a rectangular shape measuring approximately 25×35 centimeters (10×14 inches). Meticulously trim the edges for a refined appearance and carefully transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Return to the refrigerator to maintain the pastry’s structural integrity.
4. Transform the apples by peeling and halving them through the stem. Extract the cores using a sharp knife or melon baller. Slice the fruit crosswise into uniform 6-millimeter (¼ inch) thickness, ensuring consistent cooking and aesthetic appeal.
5. Artfully arrange the apple slices in overlapping diagonal rows, completely covering the pastry base. Distribute granulated sugar evenly across the surface and strategically place small butter dollops to enhance flavor and caramelization.
6. Position the tart in the preheated oven and bake for 45-60 minutes. Rotate the tray midway through cooking to promote even browning. The pastry should achieve a golden hue, and apple edges should transform into a rich, caramelized finish. If the pastry unexpectedly puffs, gently puncture with a knife to release trapped air.
7. Create a luxurious glaze by warming apricot jelly with Calvados (or water) until smooth and translucent. Delicately brush the mixture over the apples and pastry, imparting a lustrous sheen and refined appearance.
8. Allow the tart to cool slightly, then carefully separate from the baking sheet using a thin spatula. Serve at a warm temperature or at room temperature, inviting guests to savor the delicate balance of buttery pastry and caramelized fruit.

Notes

• Quickly chill butter and water to create a perfectly flaky pastry texture that melts in your mouth.
• Cut apples with precision, ensuring each slice looks uniform and cooks evenly across the entire tart.
• Refrigerate dough for at least 30 minutes to help it relax and prevent shrinking during the baking process.
• Grab parchment paper to guarantee a smooth release and make cleanup a breeze after baking.
• Watch the tart closely during the final minutes of baking to capture that golden-brown perfection without burning.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 105mg
• Fat: 2.5g
• Carbohydrates: 23g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg