RECIPE: QUICK APPLE TART WITH PUFF PASTRY CRUST

Martie Duncan November 28, 2015

I frequently make homemade pie crust and my Rustic Apple Tart is always a hit. But what if you don't have the 1 hour you need to let the pie crust chill? Well, you can make a beautiful and utterly fabulous bake shop worthy apple tart in minutes! Top it with ice cream and - well- it is just hard to beat. I recently made this recipe during my demo at the Fabulous Food Show in Cleveland, Ohio and have had a ton of requests for the recipe--so here you go!

QUICK APPLE TART WITH PUFF PASTRY CRUST

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup granulated sugar

pinch of allspice

pinch of kosher salt

pinch of ground black pepper

2 large apples, cored, peeled and sliced thin with a mandolin(Braeburn work well)

1 lemon, juiced

1 sheet of packaged puff pastry, thawed to package direction

2-3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

1/2 cup Confectioners sugar (maybe a bit more depending on the size of the tart)

DIRECTIONS:

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to the temperature recommended by the manufacturer for the puff pastry, usually 400F.

Mix the granulated sugar, allspice, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Set aside.

Pell and slice the apples and squeeze the lemon juice over them to stop any browning.

Dust your work surface with a bit of the flour and rolling pin. Lightly roll out the puff pastry and then use a dinner plate as a template to cut it into a circle. (you can make a square but the round is prettier- square more rustic) Place onto the prepared baking sheet.

Dock (prick holes in it) the puff pastry with a fork to prevent it from puffing up too much during the cooking process.

Place the apple slices on a paper towel to blot off excess moisture before you begin to arrange them on the puff pastry. Arrange the apples in a circle; start on the outside and work towards the inside, slightly overlapping as you go. Use a pastry brush to cover the entire surface of the apples with the softened butter. Cover that with the sugar mixture.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until pastry is golden brown and apples are tender.

Remove and immediately dust the top of the apples with the Confectioners sugar using a fine mesh sieve. Use a torch to caramelize the sugar or put under the broiler for 1-2 minutes. Serve with a scoop of Dulce de Leche or caramel ice cream.

FIND MORE PUFF PASTRY RECIPES!

RECIPES FOR PUFF PASTRY, MY HOLIDAY SECRET WEAPON

Martie Duncan December 20, 2014

Frozen puff pastry is my go-to secret weapon for the holidays. I keep it on hand for those situations when you have last minute guests or simply run out of time to get something made. Find puff pastry in boxes in the frozen food section of the store where you'd find frozen pie crust or rolls. Keep a few boxes in your freezer for a delicious and elegant appetizer or dessert. Easy, impressive and fast; you will wonder how you lived without it.

Here are a few of my favorite recipes using puff pastry that are simply perfect when you need to pull together something fast and absolutely delicious!

PUFF PASTRY PALMIERS

These are those swirled cookies that you often see in bakeries in France or Argentina, often referred to as elephant ears.

Get the recipe...

These Puff Pastry Palmiers or "elephant ear" cookies are so simple to make. Roll out the puff pastry into sugar and cinnamon and you've got a buttery, sugary bite of heaven.

STRAWBERRY NAPOLEONS

Napoleons are absolutely one of the easiest desserts to make but they are also one of the most impressive looking desserts you can serve to guests. They'll never guess how simple they are to make! Get the recipe....

PUFF PASTRY PARTY SQUARES

I made this recipe for Food Network Star when I needed something using pastrami that would travel well and taste good served room temperature. This is best served warm and not hot straight from the oven. You can use just about anything you want inside the pastry. I used ham and cheese since it is an eternal favorite but you can use beef, pork or even vegetables. Get the recipe...

RECIPE: PUFF PASTRY STRAWBERRY NAPOLEONS

Martie Duncan December 7, 2014

Easy to make but impressive to serve, these Strawberry Napoleons made from frozen puff pastry you buy in a box at the store will be your new go-to for dessert. I've made these with all sorts of fillings...

Be creative and use your own favorite flavors or whatever fruit that is in season. Find the puff pastry in a box (Pepperidge Farm is good and readily available at most stores) in the same section where you find frozen pie crust and frozen rolls.

Simply cut puff pastry sheets you find m the freezer section of the store into the size or shape you like, bake, slice, and fill with your favorite fruit and flavored whipped cream. — Simply cut puff pastry sheets you find m the freezer section of the store into the size or shape you like, bake, slice, and fill with your favorite fruit and flavored whipped cream.

STRAWBERRY NAPOLEONS

INGREDIENTS

2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

2 tablespoons Grand Marnier (optional)

1 cup whipping cream

1 cup Marscapone cheese

1 tablespoon vanilla

3 tablespoons + more Confectioners sugar (you will need some for garnish)

1 orange for a bit of juice and the zest (optional)

1 box of frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package directions

all-purpose flour (for rolling pastry)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Clean, core and slice strawberries. Put in a bowl with the sugar and Grand Marnier. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine the whipping cream, vanilla and 2-3 tablespoons of the Confectioners sugar plus 2 tablespoons orange juice (or use Grand Marnier) and 1 teaspoon orange zest. Beat on high speed until stiff peaks form. Fold in the Marscapone cheese. Spoon into a piping bag. Refrigerate.

Dust the work surface with a little flour so it won't stick. Open one package of the puff pastry. Cut along the fold lines to make 3 pieces and cut each of those into 4 pieces. Repeat with the second package. Put on the baking sheet and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool on a wire rack.

Split each of the puff pastry squares in half. Put the bottom halves on a serving plate. Pipe with whipping cream mixture.

Drain the strawberries. Add a layer on top of the whipped cream. Pipe some additional whipping cream and put on the top. Dust with powdered sugar.

There are a million variations on this recipe. Add a drizzle of melted chocolate for an extra special finish.

Cook fresh fruits like peaches, apples, pears, or plums until they are slightly softened. Add some sugar and heat until dissolved. Add brandy or other liqueur (off the heat so it won't flame) to create a sauce. Allow to cool before spooning onto the puff pastry. Or use frozen fruit with a little sugar and the brandy to accomplish the same thing.