Best Apricot Tart Tatin Recipes

APRICOT TARTE TATIN

Steps:

• Place the flour, butter and salt in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles fine bread crumbs, then add 2 tbsp (25 mL) ice water. Continue to pulse just until the pastry comes together. Turn the pastry onto a floured surface and form into a ball, flatten, then wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Place the pastry on a floured surface and roll into a 10-inch (25-cm) circle, place on a baking sheet and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
• Place the sugar in an ovenproof 9-inch (23-cm) frying pan. Add ½ cup (125 mL) water and place over low heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves then increase the heat to high and cook without stirring until the mixture turns a medium caramel colour. Carefully shake the pan from time to time so that the sugar caramelizes evenly.
• Remove the pan from the heat and very carefully place the apricots, cut-side down, in pan, forming tight concentric circles. Remember the caramel is very hot.
• Once the caramel has stopped bubbling, place the pastry on top of the apricots, tucking in the edges. (The warmth of the pan and fruit will soften the pastry.) Place the pan in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 350°F (180°C) and continue to bake for another 10 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and lightly browned. Some caramel will bubble up over the pastry.
• Remove the tart from the oven, remembering the handle is very hot, and let it sit for at least 15 minutes before turning the tart out. Make sure the edges of the pastry are loose, then place a large plate with a lip over the pan and quickly flip the tart and plate over.

THE WORLD-FAMOUS TARTE TATIN

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F/190 degrees C/gas 5. Dust a clean surface and a rolling pin with flour and roll out your puff pastry until it's just over 1/4-inch/0.5cm thick. This will be enough to cover the ovenproof frying pan you'll be cooking the tarte Tatin in, leaving about 2 inches/5 cm extra around the edge. Put the pastry to one side for now. Peel your apples, then halve them horizontally and use a teaspoon to get rid of the seeds and core. Put the ovenproof pan on a medium heat and add the sugar, Calvados, vanilla seeds, and pod. Let the sugar dissolve and cook until the mixture forms a light caramel. Once the caramel looks and smells delicious - it should be a lovely chestnut brown - add your halved apples. Carefully stir everything in the pan and cook for about 5 minutes or until the apples start to soften and you get a toffee apple vibe happening. Add the cubed butter, then lay the pastry over the top. Quickly and carefully tuck the pastry down right into the edges - it's best to use a wooden spoon so you don't touch the caramel. Bake the tarte Tatin for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden, with crispy caramelly pieces bubbling up from under the edges. Take it out of the oven. To make it look like a tarte Tatin you need to turn it out, which isn't hard - but you do need to be careful with that hot caramel. So get a serving plate or board larger than your pan and put an oven glove on to protect the arm holding the board. Put the board or plate on top of the pan, then quickly, carefully and confidently turn it out (remember you can go to www.jamieoliver.com/how-to and see a video of how to do this safely). Put it to one side for a few minutes, so the caramel can cool down, then divide it up and serve with a spoonful of creme fraiche or ice cream.

MINI APRICOT TARTES TATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees with rack in upper third position. Generously butter a standard 12-cup nonstick muffin pan. On a lightly floured surface, roll out pate brisee to about 1/8-inch thick. Using a 3-inch round cookie cutter, cut out 12 rounds. Transfer rounds to a parchment paper-lined rimmed baking sheet and place in freezer for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the caramel: combine the sugar with 3 tablespoons water in a small saucepan and cook, swirling the pan occasionally (do not stir), over medium-high heat until deep amber, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in butter. Divide caramel among prepared muffin cups. Place two apricot halves, cut side up, in each muffin cup. Remove the chilled pastry rounds from freezer and place on top of apricots.
• Place muffin pan on the chilled baking sheet and bake, rotating the pan halfway through, until pastry is crisp and golden brown, 30 to 32 minutes. Top muffin pan with a rimmed baking sheet and invert. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve with lightly sweetened whipped cream, if desired.