Delight in these charming Upside Down Apple Tarts featuring caramelized apple slices atop golden, flaky puff pastry. Perfect as a warm dessert or a sweet snack, these tarts combine tender apples, rich buttery caramel, and a dusting of confectioners sugar for an irresistible treat.
Total Time:1 hour
Yield:6 servings
Ingredients
Puff Pastry and Tart
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed if frozen
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/8 cup (25g) brown sugar
1/8 cup (25g) granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
A pinch of salt
Confectioners sugar, for serving
Apple Filling
1 Red Delicious apple, peeled, cored, and cut into thin slices
Instructions
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a round baking pan or oven-proof skillet, approximately 9 inches in diameter.
Make Caramel: In the pan or skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir continuously until the sugars dissolve and the mixture begins to bubble and caramelize.
Caramelize Apples: Add the peeled, cored, and thinly sliced apple wedges to the pan, arranging them tightly in a circular pattern. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes until the apples become tender and caramelized, taking care not to burn the caramel.
Prepare Puff Pastry: While the apples caramelize, roll out the puff pastry lightly on a floured surface and cut it into 6 even rectangles.
Cool Caramelized Apples: Once caramelized, remove the apples from heat and let them cool for a few minutes to slightly firm up the caramel.
Assemble Tarts: On a baking sheet, place one rectangle of puff pastry. Top each pastry piece with 4 caramelized apple slices, then carefully press the edges down with a fork to seal the filling.
Bake Tarts: Bake the assembled tarts in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and puffed.
Flip and Serve: After baking, let the tarts cool for a few minutes. Carefully flip each tart onto a serving plate, being cautious as the caramel and pan will be hot.
Finish and Serve: Dust the top of the tarts with confectioners sugar. Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally accompanied by whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Use Red Delicious apples or choose a firm variety that holds shape well when caramelized, such as Fuji or Honeycrisp.
Be careful when cooking the caramel to avoid burning; stir constantly and keep heat moderate.
Chill the puff pastry sheet before cutting to make handling easier.
For a spiced twist, add nutmeg or cloves along with the cinnamon.
If preferred, use a muffin tin to create individual tarts instead of a sheet pan.
Serve with vanilla ice cream or freshly whipped cream for an extra indulgent dessert.
