Mean Chef’s Apple Rustic Tarts
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
Description:
Mean Chef’s Apple Rustic Tarts are a delightful dessert that I’ve adopted from the original recipe shared by Mean Chef back on Dec 11, 2003. Mean Chef described these tarts as “a great individual dessert” that are “easy to prepare.” With a combination of flaky pastry, sweet-tart apples, and a crumbly streusel topping, these rustic tarts are sure to impress. They are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a cozy family dinner or a festive gathering with friends.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 8 granny smith apples
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Streusel:
- In a food processor fitted with a steel blade or by hand with a pastry cutter, combine 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Set aside for later use.
-
Prepare the Dough:
- In a food processor fitted with the steel blade or by hand with a pastry cutter, combine 2 cups of flour, 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of water in a bowl until the mixture just comes together.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
- Gather the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill it until firm, for at least 2 hours.
-
Assemble the Tarts:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Lightly dust a work surface and rolling pin with flour.
- Roll the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness and cut it into eight 5-inch circles.
- Gather any dough scraps together and reroll the dough if necessary.
- Spoon 1 tablespoon of applesauce onto each dough circle.
- Mound about 1/3 cup of sliced apples over the applesauce.
- Taking opposite sides of the dough of each tart, gently stretch each side up and over the filling, pressing the dough together at the center.
- Continue to work around the tart, repeating this process with other sections, ensuring that the dough will not unfold and open during the baking process.
- Place the assembled tarts at least 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
-
Bake the Tarts:
- Mound about 1/3 cup of streusel on top of each tart.
- Bake the tarts in the preheated oven until the crust is golden brown, about 30 minutes.
-
Serve:
- Mean Chef’s Apple Rustic Tarts are best served warm, allowing you to enjoy the flavors and textures at their finest.
These rustic tarts are a delightful way to showcase the flavors of fresh apples in a simple yet elegant dessert. Whether enjoyed on their own or with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, these tarts are sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. So why wait? Gather your ingredients and treat yourself to the deliciousness of Mean Chef’s Apple Rustic Tarts today! 🍏🥧
