Salted Caramel Apple Tarts Recipe

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ByChristine Plocar
Stacked caramel apple bars drizzled with caramel on a wire rack

Salted Caramel Apple Tarts are an embodiment of comfort in a dessert, offering the perfect balance of sweet and salty with the warmth of spices. The buttery, crisp crust paired with the soft, cinnamon-spiced apples and decadent salted caramel sauce provides a variety of textures that meld together wonderfully. These individual desserts are excellent for controlled portion serving, and they lend an air of elegance to any gathering. Their charming presentation and delicious taste make them a hit with both chefs and diners alike.

Ingredients:

For the Tart Crust:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
  • 1 egg yolk

For the Apple Filling:

  • 4 medium apples, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Salted Caramel:

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Garnish:

  • Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Additional Spices to Enhance Flavor:

  • A pinch of ground nutmeg: Nutmeg pairs well with apple and cinnamon, offering a hint of warm spice.
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves: Gives an added depth of flavor to the apple filling.
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract: This adds a subtle sweetness and aroma to the apple filling.
  • A dash of allspice: This spice can add a complex sweetness and a bit of a kick to the apple filling.

Instructions:

Tart Crust:

  1. Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix in the egg yolk until the dough comes together.
  2. Divide the dough into individual tart pans and press into the bottoms and sides. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  3. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prick the tart shells with a fork and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden.

Apple Filling:

  1. While the tart shells are baking, combine the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice in a large bowl.
  2. Spoon the apple mixture into the baked tart shells and return to the oven for another 15-20 minutes, or until the apples are tender.

Salted Caramel:

  1. In a saucepan over medium heat, dissolve the sugar in the water and cook without stirring until it turns a deep amber color. This will take about 10 minutes.
  2. Remove from heat and slowly whisk in the heavy cream until smooth. Stir in the sea salt.
  3. Drizzle the caramel over the apple tarts.
  4. Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Serving Size:

This recipe makes 8 mini tarts.

Cooking Tips:

  1. Keep a close eye on the caramel as it can burn quickly.
  2. Use a variety of apples for a more complex flavor in the filling.

Serving and Side Suggestions:

These tarts are perfect as is, but for a touch of freshness, you could serve them with a side of mixed berries or a citrus salad.

Variations:

  1. Add some chopped pecans or walnuts to the apple filling for an added crunch.
  2. Swap out the apples for pears for a different flavor profile.

Ingredient Substitutions:

If you can’t find fresh apples, canned apple pie filling can be used as a substitute. Just reduce the sugar in the recipe to balance the sweetness.

Storage and Reheating Instructions:

Store the tarts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat in a warm oven until heated through.

Leftover Suggestions:

Leftover tarts make a great breakfast treat or afternoon snack. You could also crumble them over yogurt or ice cream for a new dessert.

Health Benefits:

Apples are a good source of dietary fiber and vitamin C. The cinnamon offers antioxidant properties, and the homemade crust and filling avoid the preservatives found in store-bought versions.

Nutrition Information and RDA values:

Per serving, these tarts have approximately:

  • Calories: 400
  • Protein: 4g
  • Fat: 20g
  • Carbohydrates: 50g
  • Fiber: 3g (12% of RDA)
  • Vitamin C: 8mg (10% of RDA)
  • Calcium: 50mg (5% of RDA)

Shopping List:

  • All-purpose flour
  • Sugar
  • Unsalted butter
  • Egg
  • Apples
  • Brown sugar
  • Cinnamon
  • Lemon
  • Heavy cream
  • Sea salt
  • Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
  • Ground nutmeg
  • Ground cloves
  • Vanilla extract
  • Allspice

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