When autumn rolls around, apple desserts are mandatory. I’ve been meaning to make my favorite apple dish for quite some time now, and yesterday had just the right amount of crisp and cool in the air to get me going.
I consult mainly two sites for my sweet fixings: Smitten Kitchen and Orangette. This “rustic apple tart” is from the inimitable Molly of Orangette — since 2008 when she first posted it, this tart has been a regular part of our fall desserts, and it’s divine.
Just as the recipe states, it’s so unassuming and so easy and just so delicious. You start, of course, with a buttery and ever-so-slightly sweet crust.
You then add some sliced apples (I used a combination of Honeycrisp and Pink Lady), fold up the edges a little and sprinkle some sugar on top.
I made my tarts on the smaller side. A couple of minis that would fit nicely in the palm of a seven-year-old, and a few a touch larger than a smartphone (okay, I tried to come up with a better, more rustic analogy and that was the first thing that popped into my head).
Once they come out golden and piping hot from the oven, you drizzle some syrup you’d made by simmering sugar and water with the apple cores…
And then you fend off your child from eating all of them so you can take pretty pictures:
Dessert is ready!
Oh YUM. They look so delicious and I think I can do that recipe. And please don’t tell ANYONE but I think I am going to use the premade pie crust from the dairy section of the grocery store. I know I know it is so lazy because pie crust is easy peasy but I just happen to have some in my fridge.
Oh, you’re smart to use premade pie crust, Karen! The one downside of this recipe is the two-hour chill time for the dough, though you could pop it in the freezer for about 15 minutes if you’re in a hurry.
I’ve got a big bowl of neighborhood harvested apples sitting on my kitchen counter, just looking to be cooked. I’ll try this out tomorrow! Yummmmm. Nothing says Autumn like apples.
You guys are all so lucky with all these orchards and neighborhood harvested apples, Gita! I’m forced to buy beat up ones from the grocery store…
Yum! I love both those blogs too. And your photo makes me want to try this.
In my humble opinion, these two are the gold standard for food blogs for the writing, recipes, etc. If you do try the recipe, you won’t be disappointed, Asmita!
Going to the apple orchard tonight … these may be on the menu for tomorrow! My whole family loves apples, even more so when there’s sugar involved:) Thanks for sharing the idea!
Apple-picking at night! That sounds incredibly romantic. Apple desserts are hands down my favorite 🙂
Our house came with two apple trees that yield tart, incredibly flavorful fruit – you’ve inspired me to try baking with them! These are beautiful tarts and remind me of the lovely full-size ones I saw in France.
Okay, I’m clearly living in the wrong neighborhood because although we too have apple trees, they are not flavorful at all! Ah France…my desperate dream is to live their part-time one day…
Those look really delicious. Good thing I live in Apple Country!!! Thanks for sharing, my kids thank you too.
Where is Apple Country? That sounds like a place I’d love to visit, Tracy!
Pop-tart sized! They look delish…I am such an apple tart girl! Orangette was the first blog I ever read (regularly). I make her creamed Brussels sprouts (from her book) all the time.
Pop-tart sized!! Man, so much better than smartphone-sized. Orangette was one of the first blogs I started reading too! I hope I can meet Molly in person one day since we do live in the same city :-). I also loved Clotilde’s Chocolate and Zucchini and I think she just published a vegetarian cookbook.
Those tarts look delicious! Making them in small pieces is really smart!
I love apple tarts and, what a coincidence, I’ve made one this weekend. The recipe was taken from Jamie Oliver magazine and it is simple but delicious.
I am a Smitten Kitchen fan! I have to take look at Orangette!
I have a Jamie Oliver cookbook too – love him! Tis apple season everywhere it seems! 🙂