Caramelized Apple Puff Pastry Tarts with Vanilla Custard

Puff Pastry Apple Tarts

Category: Desserts
Serves: 7 Tarts

These delightful puff pastry apple tarts offer a blend of tender caramelized apples, aromatic spices, and buttery crust that makes for an irresistible treat. A perfect dessert for cozy gatherings or a special family meal.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Apple Filling:

   • Start by grating the zest of the orange and set it aside.
   • Soak the raisins in fresh orange juice for a few minutes to plump them up.
   • Wash and dry the apples, then cut them into quarters. Remove the cores and slice each quarter into thin pieces, about 4 mm thick, keeping the skin on.

2. Caramelize the Apples:

   • In a large pan, combine the brown sugar and soaked raisins with the orange juice. Add the grated orange zest for an aromatic touch.
   • Over medium heat, stir the mixture for a few minutes, allowing the sugar to dissolve and the raisins to infuse their sweetness.
   • Add the apple slices into the pan and let them cook, stirring occasionally. Allow the apples to caramelize for about 8-10 minutes, until tender and lightly golden.
   • Stir in the toasted breadcrumbs to help thicken the mixture, then remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

3. Prepare the Puff Pastry Shells:

   • Roll out the puff pastry slightly with a rolling pin to smooth it out. Using a round cookie cutter (about 11 cm in diameter), cut out 7 pastry discs.
   • Grease 7 tartlet pans (about 8.5 cm in diameter with 2 cm high sides), then place a pastry disc into each pan, gently pressing the dough into the edges and bottom to form the crust.

4. Fill the Tart Shells:

   • Spoon the cooled apple mixture into each pastry shell, filling them generously with the sweet, caramelized apples.

5. Prepare the Vanilla Custard:

   • In a small saucepan, heat the whole milk over medium heat until it is just about to boil. Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks and granulated sugar together in a separate bowl until smooth and creamy.
   • Once the milk is hot, pour it slowly into the egg mixture, stirring constantly to prevent curdling.
   • Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a spatula. Monitor the temperature with a thermometer, and cook until the custard reaches 82°C (180°F).
   • Once the custard thickens, pour it into a clean bowl to cool, continuing to stir occasionally.

6. Assemble and Bake:

   • Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
   • Pour the cooled custard over the apple filling in each tart shell, smoothing it out with a spoon or spatula.
   • Bake the tarts in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and crisp, and the custard has set.

7. Garnish and Serve:

   • After baking, let the tarts cool slightly before removing them from the tartlet pans.
   • Garnish each tart with a few fresh mint leaves for a refreshing touch.
   • Serve warm or at room temperature as a delightful dessert!

These puff pastry apple tarts make for a perfect treat, offering a delicious balance of flavors, textures, and aromas. The caramelized apples, combined with a creamy vanilla custard, sit atop a golden, flaky puff pastry shell. These tarts are an elegant dessert to impress guests or enjoy with loved ones!