Caramelized apple tarts recipe

Description

Caramelized apple tarts are a classic dessert that can be enjoyed by everyone. This recipe is a combination of sweet and tart flavors, with a crispy crust and soft, caramelized apple filling. The tarts are easy to make, and are perfect for a family dinner or an elegant dinner party.

Ingredients

For the crust:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed and chilled
• 3-4 tablespoons ice water

For the filling:

• 4 apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Preparation

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt for the crust. Add the cubed butter, and use a pastry blender or your fingers to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Sprinkle the ice water over the dough a tablespoon at a time, and mix with a fork until the dough comes together in a ball. Flatten the ball into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/8 inch. Use a round cookie cutter or a glass to cut out circles of dough, and press them into a greased muffin tin.
5. To make the filling, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced apples, and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender but still hold their shape.
6. Add the brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the skillet, and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the mixture has thickened and caramelized.
7. Spoon the apple filling into the prepared crusts, filling each one about 3/4 full.
8. Bake the tarts for about 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Allow the tarts to cool slightly before removing them from the muffin tin.
9. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Tips and Variations

• If you don’t have a muffin tin, you can make one large tart instead of individual tarts.
• You can also experiment with different types of apples for the filling, such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady.
• If you want to save time, you can use store-bought pie crust instead of making your own.
• If you want to make the tarts ahead of time, you can bake them and then reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes before serving.
• You can also add a drizzle of caramel sauce or sprinkle of chopped nuts on top for extra flavor.