Tarte Tatin: Rustic Apple Pie

Tarte Tatin is a traditional French dessert incorporating caramelized sugar, apples, and a puff pastry crust. This tarte tatin recipe uses vanilla bean and halved apples for a gorgeous, rustic dessert perfect for fall.

Tarte Tatin is a traditional French dessert incorporating caramelized sugar, apples, and a puff pastry crust. This tarte tatin recipe uses vanilla bean and halved apples for a gorgeous, rustic dessert perfect for fall.Tarte Tatin is a traditional French dessert incorporating caramelized sugar, apples, and a puff pastry crust. This tarte tatin recipe uses vanilla bean and halved apples for a gorgeous, rustic dessert perfect for fall.

A few blocks from our apartment in Paris was this little bakery.

tarte tatin recipe with apple cider

In the shadow of an old church, near a picturesque metro sign, around the corner from a park where we picnicked on many a warm afternoon…

gorgeous rustic tarte tatin recipe with a dollop of homemade vanilla ice cream

And while I admit that I never ate tarte tatin at that cafe, I could think of nothing else as I made this warm, caramelized dessert.

this vanilla bean and halved apples tarte tatin is just beautiful!

I don’t even know if they serve it there, but everything about this dessert reminds me of that place: buttery flaky crust, perfectly baked fruit, sweet and warm gooey goodness.

flaky puff pastry and caramelized apples make a gorgeous, rustic apple tarte tatin

I confess that cooked apples are not my favorite food. My brother has even dubbed me “un-American,” since I don’t really like apple pie much as a result. But even I enjoy a good tarte tatin: the sweet little apples bathed in caramelized sugar which oozes around the puff pastry… yummm….

rustic tarte tatin with vanilla bean and caramelized apples

Ingredients needed for apple tarte tatin:

  • all metal skillet (such as cast iron)
  • puff pastry sheet (just larger than your skillet)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup apple cider
  • 2 T lemon juice (divided)
  • 1 vanilla bean
  • 4 T butter cut into pieces
  • 6 small eating apples

How to make apple tarte tatin:

  1. Peel your apples, cut them in half, and use a spoon to dig out the core. As you go, put the apple halves into a bowl of water with 1 T lemon juice to keep them from browning.
  2. Heat sugar, apple cider, and 1 T lemon juice in skillet over medium heat.
  3. Half the vanilla bean length wise and scrape out the seeds, adding them and the bean casing into the skillet.
  4. As sugar begins to caramelize (turning brown and getting thick), add the apples.
    Note: sugar caramelizes at a VERY high temperature… Be careful when doing this! Also, just as you think your caramel might be about to burn, the apples should add a significant amount of liquid as they begin to cook. It saves the caramel. 
  5. Carefully coat the apples with the caramel and then arrange them flat side up in the skillet. Cook for approximately 5 minutes, until the caramel begins to thicken again as the water from the apples cooks away.
  6. Add the butter and remove from heat.
  7. Quickly cover the apple mixture with the puff pastry and tuck the pastry down into the sides of the pan around the apples and caramel (use a smooth so you don’t burn yourself!).
  8. Put the skillet into the oven and cook for 25-30 minutes, until the pastry is a nice, golden brown.
  9. When you remove the tarte from the oven, allow it to cool for 5-10 minutes.
  10. Using a plate, platter, or cake stand that is slightly larger than your skillet, cover the skillet with the plate and carefully flip them so the tarte is apple side up.
  11. Serve in slices with a scoop of marscapone or vanilla ice cream.

top apple tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream or marscapone

Now for more fall apple recipes, go visit all my friends below!

Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls by Ella Claire | Rustic Apple Cranberry Pie by Anderson and Grant |

Apple-Cranberry Slab Pie by Inspired by Charm | Apple Donuts by A Burst of Beautiful |

Caramel Apple Tart by Julie Blanner

Easy Apple Dumplings by Craftberry Bush | Apple Crisp by House 214 Design |

Apple Cider Scones by Everyday Occasions | Apple Fritter Skillet Bake by Nest of Posies |

Rustic Apple Tarte Tatin by Maison de Pax

Paleo Apple Crisp by Nesting with Grace | Crock Pot Applesauce by My Sweet Savannah |

Gluten Free Apple Crisp by City Farmhouse |

Baked Breakfast Apples with Oatmeal by French Country Cottage |

Apple Blossom with Salted Caramel Sauce by Nina Hendrick Design

No Churn Apple Pie Ice Cream by Boxwood Avenue | Bird’s Nest Apple Pie by Zevy Joy |

Apple Upside Down Spice Cake by Love Grows Wild

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10 Comments

  1. This tops the cake – er, pie – for most beautiful dessert ever! Here’s to dreaming of Paris ;). xo

  2. Wow. This looks like heaven in a slice! Pass a piece my way please. Love your presentation too!

    xo Michael

  3. Your recipe is purely yummy and so is your description of Paris! I have been to Frace several times, but haven’t been to Paris yet. Someday……

    Would you please provide a ‘printable’ for your recipes? It’s such a pain having to cut and paste when I coud be cooking! ;o)

    By the way, I would have given you a 5-star rating, but your stars were’t clickable.

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