Tarte Tatin is a classic French upside-down apple tart in which fruit cooks beneath pastry until the apples become glossy and deeply caramelized.
Build the caramel directly in an ovenproof skillet, arrange the apples tightly, cover with pastry, and invert the tart while it is still warm.
Use firm apples and keep them snug in the pan. They shrink as they cook, and a tight arrangement prevents large gaps in the finished tart.
Serving Suggestions
Serve warm with crème fraîche, softly whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or a cup of coffee.
Recipe Notes
The tart is best the day it is baked. Rewarm gently in a low oven if needed, but avoid microwaving the pastry.
Classic French Tarte Tatin
An upside-down French apple tart with glossy caramel, tender fruit, and crisp buttery pastry.
Equipment
- 10-inch ovenproof skillet
- Rolling Pin
- Peeler
- Sharp knife
- Large plate
Ingredients
Tart
- 6 medium firm apples peeled, cored, and halved
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 sheet puff pastry thawed
- 1/4 tsp fine salt
To Serve
- 1 cup crème fraîche
Instructions
Build the Caramel:
- Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Melt the butter in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet over medium heat.
- Sprinkle in the sugar and salt. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the mixture becomes golden and glossy. Stir in the lemon juice.
Arrange and Bake:
- Arrange the apple halves tightly in the skillet, rounded side down. Cook for 8 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Roll the pastry slightly larger than the skillet. Lay it over the apples and tuck the edges down. Cut a few vents in the pastry.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the pastry is deeply golden and puffed.
Invert:
- Rest the skillet for 5 minutes. Place a large plate over the skillet and carefully invert the tart in one confident motion.
- Serve warm with crème fraîche.
Notes
- If the caramel looks pale before the apples go in, it will deepen in the oven; avoid cooking it until dark brown on the stovetop.
- Work carefully when inverting because hot caramel can spill from the edges.
Nutrition
Calories: 390kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 4gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 230mgFiber: 4gSugar: 31g