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Homemade apple rose tart with thinly sliced apples arranged into a rose on a golden buttery pastry crust

Apple Rose Tart Recipe – A Beautiful Homemade Apple Tart

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Servings: 2 tarts (20 cm)
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Homemade Apple Sauce
  • 3 apples peeled, cored, and diced
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • A pinch of salt
  • 1 cup water or apple juice
  • Juice of half a lemon
Homemade Tart Crust
  • 240 g all-purpose flour
  • 227 g unsalted butter softened
  • 3 eggs lightly beaten
  • ½ teaspoon salt
Apple Rose Topping
  • 3 –4 fresh apples depending on their size
  • A little brown sugar
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Lemon juice
  • Warm water
  • For a beautiful finish choose apples with different skin colors. Red, green, and golden apples create a lovely natural pattern.

Method
 

How to Make Homemade Apple Sauce
  1. The first step is preparing the apple sauce. This is what makes the tart particularly delicious because it adds a soft, fruity layer underneath the fresh apples.
  2. Step 1: Peel, core, and cut the apples into small pieces.
  3. Step 2: Place the apples in a saucepan with the cinnamon stick, sugar, salt, and water.
  4. Step 3: Cook over medium-low heat until the mixture begins to simmer gently.
  5. Step 4: Add the lemon juice and continue cooking until the apples become soft and slightly translucent.
  6. Step 5: Turn off the heat and let the mixture rest for approximately 15 minutes.
  7. Step 6: Remove the cinnamon stick and mash the apples with a fork until you have a thick, slightly chunky sauce.
    Allow the apple sauce to cool before using it in the tart.
    I love that this homemade apple sauce for tart can also be prepared in advance, making the baking process much easier.
How to Make the Homemade Tart Crust
  1. A good tart begins with a delicious pastry base. This recipe uses a simple buttery dough that can also be adapted for other sweet or savory tarts.
  2. Step 1: Combine the flour, salt, and softened butter in a mixing bowl.
  3. Step 2: Mix until the ingredients form a crumbly texture.
  4. Step 3: Gradually add the beaten eggs and mix until a dough forms.
  5. Step 4: Knead gently until the dough becomes smooth. If it feels too dry, add a little water. If it's too sticky, sprinkle in a little extra flour.
  6. Step 5: Roll the dough into a thin sheet, fold it in half, and roll it out again. Repeat a few times.
  7. Step 6: Refrigerate the dough for approximately 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
  8. Step 7: Roll out the chilled dough and carefully press it into your tart pan.
    Trim away any excess pastry around the edges.
    Your tart crust is now ready for the filling.
How to Make Apple Roses for Tart Decoration
  1. This is my favorite part of the recipe!
    The secret to creating a beautiful apple tart with rose decoration is cutting the apples into very thin slices.
    You want them flexible enough to bend without breaking.
  2. Step 1: Wash the apples and remove their cores.
  3. Step 2: Slice the apples as thinly and evenly as possible, keeping the colorful skin.
  4. Step 3: Place the slices briefly in warm water mixed with lemon juice.
    This helps prevent browning and makes the slices easier to shape.
  5. Step 4: To create the rose in the center, overlap several apple slices in a row and gently roll them together.
  6. Step 5: Arrange the remaining slices around the center, slightly overlapping each piece to create larger petals.
    Don't worry if your rose isn't perfectly symmetrical. Nature rarely makes perfect roses either, and that's part of their charm.
How to Assemble and Bake the Apple Rose Tart
  1. Once your pastry, apple sauce, and fresh apple slices are ready, it's time to bring everything together.
  2. Step 1: Prepare the crust
    Preheat your oven to 230°C (450°F).
    Place the pastry dough into your tart pan and gently press it against the bottom and sides.
  3. Step 2: Add the apple sauce
    Spread a generous, even layer of homemade apple sauce across the bottom of the pastry.
    Avoid adding too much liquid, as this could make the crust soggy.
  4. Step 3: Arrange the apple slices
    Starting from the outside edge, arrange the thin apple slices in overlapping circles.
    Continue working toward the center until you create a rose-like pattern.
    Place your rolled apple rose in the middle.
  5. Step 4: Add the finishing touches
    Sprinkle a little brown sugar and cinnamon over the apples.
  6. Step 5: Bake the tart
    Cover the tart loosely with aluminum foil.
    Bake at: 230°C (450°F) for 10 minutes
    Reduce to 190°C (380°F) for approximately 30 minutes
    Remove the foil during the final five minutes to allow the apples to become golden. If necessary, leave the tart in the switched-off oven for another 10–15 minutes, checking frequently to prevent overbrowning. The tart is ready when the pastry is cooked through and the apples are tender and lightly caramelized. Baking times may vary depending on your oven and tart pan.