Easy Tarte Tatin Cook's Illustrated

Indulge in the rustic elegance of this *Easy Tarte Tatin* from Cook's Illustrated—a foolproof recipe that transforms just a handful of simple ingredients into a show-stopping French dessert. Featuring tender Granny Smith apples cloaked in a luscious caramel sauce and crowned with a flaky golden puff pastry, this upside-down tart is as easy to make as it is impressive to serve. With a quick 20-minute prep time and the convenience of store-bought puff pastry, this recipe simplifies the classic technique, making it accessible for all skill levels. Perfect for a dinner party centerpiece or a cozy family treat, this caramelized apple tart pairs beautifully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s a must-try for lovers of French desserts, caramelized apples, and quick yet decadent baking!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 0.75 cup Granulated sugar
• 0.25 teaspoon Salt
• 6 Granny Smith apples
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
• 1 Frozen puff pastry sheet
• 1 tablespoon All-purpose flour

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Peel, core, and quarter the Granny Smith apples. Toss the apple quarters in a bowl with the lemon juice to prevent browning.

Step 3

In a 10-inch oven-safe skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, sprinkle the granulated sugar evenly over the butter and add the salt.

Step 4

Cook the sugar and butter mixture, stirring occasionally, until it turns a light golden caramel color (about 6–8 minutes). Remove the skillet from heat immediately.

Step 5

Arrange the apple quarters in a concentric circle on top of the caramel in the skillet, rounded sides down. Place the remaining apple pieces in the center to fill any gaps.

Step 6

Return the skillet to medium-low heat and cook the apples for 10 minutes, occasionally spooning the caramel over them. This helps coat the apples in the caramel sauce.

Step 7

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry slightly and cut it into a 12-inch circle, trimming the edges. Prick the puff pastry all over with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking.

Step 8

Carefully place the puff pastry over the caramelized apples in the skillet, tucking the edges of the pastry down into the sides of the skillet.

Step 9

Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and puffed.

Step 10

Remove the skillet from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for 5–10 minutes.

Step 11

Using a sharp knife, loosen the edges of the pastry from the skillet. Place a large serving plate or platter upside-down over the skillet and quickly flip to invert the tarte Tatin onto the plate.

Step 12

Serve the tarte Tatin warm, optionally with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1400.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2057.4

Total Fat 92.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 49.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 186mg	0%
Sodium 813.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 337.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.5g	0%
Total Sugars 260.2g
Protein 8.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 90.4mg	0%
Iron 2.7mg	0%
Potassium 1249.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 37.5%

Protein: 1.5%

Carbs: 61.1%