FRENCH APPLE CUSTARD TART
Adapted from 'France the Beautiful Cookbook' by the Scotto Sisters - with reduced sugar in the creamy custard filling and addition of nutmeg. Makes one large tart, 2 medium tarts or 8 tartlets. Blind-baking the pastry is done by baking the apples first with the pastry before adding the custard filling.
Provided by Jill Colonna
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/425°F (gas 7). Butter a 28cm/11" tart tin (no need to butter if using non-stick moulds) or tart ring. Roll out the pastry dough evenly, larger than the tart tin (about 4cm larger) and press well into the tin. Chill in the fridge.
- Peel the apples, cut into quarters and core them. Cut each quarter into 4 slices and arrange them evenly over the pastry, starting from the outside and arrange the slices in the form of a flower. Make a second smaller layer to fill in any gaps. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, using a hand whisk or fork, beat the egg yolks, sugar, nutmeg (or cinnamon), vanilla and cream. Pour over the apples and bake for about a further 30 minutes (20-25 minutes for tartlets) or until the top has delicious custardy brown patches.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 275 kcal, ServingSize 1 serving
FRENCH APPLE-ALMOND TART
Steps:
- Make crust:
- Stir egg yolks and Calvados in small bowl to blend. Combine flour, sugar and salt in processor. Add butter; cut in, using on/off turns, until butter is size of small peas. With machine running, add yolk mixture. Process until large moist clumps form. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap dough in plastic; refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled. Let soften slightly before rolling out.)
- Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 14-inch round. Transfer to 11-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Fold overhang in and press, forming double-thick sides. Chill while making filling.
- Make filling:
- Combine almonds, 3/4 cup sugar, eggs, 1 tablespoon Calvados, extracts and salt in processor. Blend until soft paste forms. Add 4 tablespoons butter; blend 10 seconds. Spread in crust. Chill until firm, about 45 minutes.
- Meanwhile, stir apples, 1 tablespoon Calvados and 1 tablespoon sugar in large bowl. Let stand 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Drain apples; overlap in concentric circles atop filling. Melt 2 tablespoons butter; brush over apples. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar.
- Bake tart 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350°F. Bake until apples are tender, about 45 minutes. Transfer to rack. Stir preserves and 1 tablespoon Calvados in small saucepan over low heat until preserves melt. Strain into small bowl; brush over apples. Cool. (Can be made 8 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)
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Apple and Almond Tart
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon cold water
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored and sliced
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup almond meal
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Directions
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, butter, sugar, egg yolk and water. Mix until the dough comes together. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the dough on a floured surface and fit into a 9-inch (23 cm) tart pan with a removable bottom. Trim the edges and prick the bottom with a fork. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, toss the apple slices with 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Arrange the slices in the prepared crust.
- In another bowl, whisk together the almond meal, heavy cream, eggs, vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until smooth. Pour the mixture over the apple slices.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Variations
- You can use any variety of apple you prefer. Granny Smith apples are perfect for this tart as they hold their shape well when baked.
- You can also add a tablespoon of cinnamon to the apple slices for extra flavor.
- Instead of almond meal, you can use any other finely ground nuts such as hazelnuts or pecans.
- If you prefer a sweeter filling, you can increase the amount of sugar in the custard to 3/4 cup.
- You can also make mini tarts instead of one large tart by using a muffin tin.