Easy Tarte aux Pommes
May 27th, 2008
Stumble it!
I know it’s not fall, but I saw a photo of an apple tart a few days ago and have been craving it ever since. I just had to have one.
If you’re looking for an easy, no-fail dessert, this is for you. It’s perfect for a special after dinner dessert, or for company, or as a gift for the next host or hostess that invites you into their home. It’s straightforward, pretty, travels well, and can be served cold, room temperature, or hot. And did I mention it’s yummy?
If you haven’t made your own pie crust yet, this is the recipe to jump in with. It’s a basic pate brisee, which is a standard flaky crust made with flour and fat. I like to use a mixture of half shortening and half Earth Balance margarine, but you can use all Earth Balance if you prefer.
I used granny smith apples because I like a tart tarte, but if you’re looking for something a little more mild, give golden delicious a try. Any apple that keeps its shape during baking will work, and you can even mix and match varieties to your liking.
A tarte pan isn’t required. Feel free to use a regular pie tin. Or, make a rustic galette-style tarte by simply piling up the apples in the middle and folding the edge of the dough over the top. I was about to do it this way myself, but I couldn’t withstand that pretty, polished, fluted tin. What can I say? I’m easily distracted by shiny things.
Tarte aux Pommes
Makes one nine inch tart
4-5 Granny Smith Apples (or sweeter Golden Delicious)
1 Lemon, juiced
2-3 Tbs Sugar
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 Pinch Nutmeg (optional)
1 Pinch Allspice (optional)
2-3 Tbs Melted Earth Balance
Your favorite jelly/jam, for glazing
Pate Brisee
1 1/4 Cup All Purpose Flour
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Sugar
1/4 Cup Non-Hydrogenated Veg. Shortening
1/4 Cup Earth Balance Margarine
2-4 Tbs Ice Water
Add the flour, salt, sugar, and fats together in the work bowl of a food processor.*
Pulse until the mixture looks like wet sand, with pea-sized lumps here and there.
Slowly drizzle in water while running the machine until the dough forms a ball. If in doubt, add less water as opposed to more.
Turn out the dough onto the counter and press to form a disc. Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1/2 hour.
Preheat your oven to 400º F. Juice your lemon and place the juice in a small bowl. Peel the apples, brushing them with lemon juice as you go to prevent discoloration.
Slice the apples in half and core them. I use a 1 tsp measure to core my apples, it works just like a melon baller would.
Don’t forget to brush the insides with lemon juice, too.
Roll out your pate brisee on a sheet of parchment or wax paper. The dough should be 1/8″ thick and should be larger than your tart tin on all sides.
Invert the dough (using the parchment as support) over the center of the tart pan. If you’re making a pan-less galette, skip this step and move on to arranging the apples.
Gently work the dough into the pan and start arranging your apple slices in rings, starting at the outside and working in towards the center. It won’t really matter what it looks like once it’s baked, so don’t freak out about aesthetics. Just make sure to jam a bunch of apples in there, since they’ll cook down as it bakes.
The color is off, because at this point a huge thunderstorm had rolled in and messed up my lighting. The humidity and heat even wreaked the dough a little, but it still turned out just fine! If your dough gets too warm it may break apart (like mine did), but just mend it and soldier on. You won’t notice after it’s baked.
Once the apples are all in there, coat the top with the sugar and spices. Fold over the edges of the dough towards the center (they won’t cover the top completely–I don’t have a picture of this step because by this time the storm was so bad I couldn’t photograph anything at all).
Brush the entire tarte with melted Earth Balance and sprinkle with more sugar. Pour any leftover earth balance over the apples.
Bake at 400º F for 45-55 minutes, or until the tarte is golden brown and the apples have color on them. Glaze with warmed jam. Let cool most of the way before slicing.
*A food processor isn’t required, it just makes your job a lot easier. If mixing by hand, be sure to work the fat all they way into the dough before adding the water.
Entry Filed under: baked goods, dessert, parties, recipe
36 Comments Add your own
1. Vegan Dad | May 27th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Looks absolutely delightful. I just cooked with apples tonight for dinner, and this would have been perfect for afters.
2. ruby red vegan | May 27th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Thanks for the detailed step-by-step; the end product looks so elaborate and elegant but the process is so simple! I would love to try this recipe. I also really like your idea of presenting it to the host/hostess — plus, that way you can ensure there be no vegans deprived of dessert at the party!!
3. La Vida Vegan | May 28th, 2008 at 12:00 am
All of my attempts to make a vegan pie crust over the years have failed miserably. This looks so delicious, I am going to give it another try. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
4. Katie | May 28th, 2008 at 6:47 am
WOW! This has such amazing presentation! I’m going to have to make this for my brother next time he comes home. Thanks for the awesome recipe!
5. jessica~ | May 28th, 2008 at 8:31 am
*drool* Mmmmm, this looks delicious!!
6. Joselle Palacios | May 28th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Mmm, each shot looks yummy. I especially love the second to last one where the apple slices in the crust are fanned out like cabbage leaves.
7. Lovliebutterfly | May 28th, 2008 at 10:13 am
I love apple pies! Yours look incredible delicious!
8. John | May 28th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Great. Now *I’m* craving an apple tart.
Looks awesome!
9. Commune Tested, City Approved | May 28th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
I absolutely love Granny Smiths! That tart looks amazing and your photos are exquisite as always!
10. Tina | May 29th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Oh my gosh! Looks so delicious! Your photos are amazing as well!
11. Cecilia | May 29th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Breath ! Note to self …. must make …. must make!!!
12. Bianca- Vegan Crunk | May 29th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
That looks delicious. It almost looks as if there’s a top crust, but I guess that’s just the seasoning and stuff…wow, I wish I could have a slice now.
13. moi | May 29th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Is it possible to use the same crust for a quiche?
Hmm, I don’t know what the best crust for quiche is, but I think this would work (even if it’s not ideal).
14. daphne | May 29th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
we bought the ingredients to make this tomorrow!
moi - i’ve made quiches with a similar crust and it works perfectly. just replace the sugar with more salt…
15. Maya | May 30th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Fab photos! That looks delish!
16. Vivacious Vegan | May 30th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
This is so beautiful. I would have had a hard time cutting into it.
17. redmenace | May 30th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
This is probably the best food website there is. Thank you! The pictures are fantastic and so are the explanations!
18. Emily | May 30th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
I made this today, and it is yummy! Thank you ever so much!
I’ve noticed that you use ‘Earth Balance’ in your baking, I think this must just be available in the USA. Do you think Pure (http://www.puredairyfree.co.uk/) is roughly the same thing?
I’ve never used it myself, but yes, the products look similar to each other. Glad the tart worked out for you!
19. Amey | June 1st, 2008 at 12:10 am
Funny,
I made an apple tart recently too. It felt weird to be making such an autumny dessert in the heart of spring glory. But, darn it, it was really delicious!
Yours is beautiful, and thanks for the crust recipe. I love making crusts, and am always happy to try out a new recipe.
20. Zlamushka | June 2nd, 2008 at 12:40 am
Beautiful cake! I can only imagine how wonderful it tastes.
I also made one of these, but with plums. It was very very good
21. VagrantVegan | June 2nd, 2008 at 2:57 am
You make everything look so easy! Beyond Beautiful!
22. wiffy | June 3rd, 2008 at 4:31 am
I love your step by step pics. It seems really difficult but you make it look easy. The end result is gorgeous!
23. Making things, doing thin&hellip | June 3rd, 2008 at 11:44 am
[...] bought from the farmer’s market), and this apple tart (before and after baking). I found the recipe for the tart here. You should check it out, it was delicious! The crust was wonderful too, I think I’ll make it [...]
24. Katy | June 4th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I’ve never made apple pie before…I’ve never even made pie before! But this looks so yummy and simple, I think I’m going to try it. Thanks for always posting such great recipes and step by step instructions.
25. Whitney | June 5th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
This turned out wonderfully! I had so much fun making it, and it was easy too! I actually got mine to look like your pictures. (This is coming from a non-baker.)
Thanks again - delicious!
26. Vandy | June 6th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
I love your photos! What type of camera do you use?
27. A Vogue Idea | June 7th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
this looks so delicious!!
love your website!
28. jon | July 4th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
this looks absolutely amazing. i read your blog a lot and rarely post but i have to say you make some amazing food and take really good pictures. i cant wait to try this! and the crumb cake which also looks incredible!
keep it up, if you release a cookbook ill buy it!
29. Nancye Smith | July 15th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Vegan Dad…
Are they your hands, and if so, they are rather delicate to say the least…
But sillyness aside, I just love your site, and many, many thanks for sharing it with all of us…
Nance…
They are my hands!
30. Pupa | August 11th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Great as usual! Please tell me how do you take it out from the form to the clean plate?
31. VeganYumYum » Groun&hellip | September 3rd, 2008 at 11:44 am
[...] Begin by making the pie dough. For a step-by-step, see this recipe. [...]
32. ksporter | September 8th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Made this tart this weekend. It was beautiful, simple, and delicious. I thought it was so beautiful, in fact, I took a picture and made it my Ravatar. :o) Link attached.
http://www.ravelry.com/people/ksporter
33. dhanya | November 26th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
That sure does look yummy. You blog is soo coooooooollll……l. and colorful.
34. Cranana Mini Pies «&hellip | February 1st, 2009 at 11:50 pm
[...] I would go with my favorite pastry recipe instead of their’s. It’s good, but not “my favorite” - also a really good apple tart [...]
35. julie | February 10th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
i made this a few days ago - it was so easy and so delish! thanks!
36. Appeltaart « Fiekef&hellip | April 20th, 2009 at 3:09 am
[...] dat ik wel eens iets anders wou dan gewoon een zanddeegtaart met appeltjes op. Ik besloot om de Easy Tarte Aux Pommes van op de VeganYumYum-blog te maken. (Daar kun je ook meer uitleg aan de hand van foto’s [...]
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