It’s the kind of thing you make on a Sunday afternoon, when the sun shines through the kitchen windows and onto the wooden board scattered with thinly sliced apples. The smell of a pie shell twirls in the air finding our nose. This is how a rustic French apple tart should feel like.
By Blandine Wilcox
I thought I would share a recipe for French apple tart. I’m feeling a bit nostalgic as I write these words as this is a pudding that brings back childhood memories. When I grew up, apple tart used to be the classic Sunday dessert that my Gran would make and bring for us to enjoy together. The only time of year when we’d have something different was as soon as rhubarb was in season. I already featured her rhubarb tart recipe on Food Moods many moons ago, and it is still available if you’d like to check it out. For this apple tart, try this gluten-free version. I have opted for not sweetening the tart much at all, and in my opinion this allows the fruit flavours to shine. Simple home-cooked food, to share and create memories…
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Rustic French Apple Tart
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Diet: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
Description
A rustic French apple tart with a subtly sweet and nutty crust. Perfect for a cozy autumn afternoon.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (118 ml) brown rice flour
- 2 oz (57 g) chickpea flour
- 2 oz (57 g) ground almonds
- 1 oz (28 g) arrow-root
- 2 tbsp unrefined sugar
- 1/2 cup (118 ml) cold butter
- 1 egg
- 10 tbsp apple sauce
- 2 firm apples
- 2 tbsp apricot jam
Instructions
- Place the rice, chickpea flour, ground almonds, arrowroot, sugar, and butter in a large bowl. Rub the butter into the flour with your fingers until you obtain rough crumbs. Add the egg and shape into a ball. Alternatively, place all ingredients in a food processor with a dough attachment and pulse until the dough comes together.
- Wrap the dough ball in cling film and place in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Slice the apples finely.
- Preheat the oven to 356°F (180°C).
- Place the dough between two sheets of baking paper and, using a rolling pin, flatten it into a circle slightly bigger than your tart dish. Place the dough into the dish, pressing it against the sides, and remove the upper sheet of paper. Prick the bottom with a fork.
- Spread the apple sauce over the pastry and arrange the apple slices on top.
- Gently heat the apricot jam in a small saucepan until runny. Spread it over the apple slices with a brush.
- Place the tart in the oven for about 40 minutes, or until the pastry edges are golden. Leave to cool before serving.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use a mixture of both Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples.
- If you don’t have arrowroot, you can substitute with an equal amount of cornstarch or tapioca starch.
- To prevent the bottom crust from becoming soggy, pre-bake the crust for 10 minutes before adding the apples and apple sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 50
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 50
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of apples work best for this Rustic French Apple Tart?
For the best flavor and texture, use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, as they hold their shape well during baking.
Can I use a pre-made pie shell instead of making my own?
Yes, you can use a pre-made pie shell to save time, but for an authentic rustic feel, making your own is recommended.
Is it necessary to peel the apples before slicing them for the tart?
Peeling the apples is recommended as it results in a smoother texture, but you can leave the skin on if you prefer a more rustic look.
