Apple Tart

If you've ever wanted to fool a friend, lover, parent or colleague into thinking you're a far better cook than you really are, this is the treat to make. Elegant, French and oh-so-sumptuous, the recipe for apple tarts is so simple that it takes just 30 minutes to make and basically consists of just two ingredients: puff pastry and apples.


To make this delicious treat, you'll need:

1. Puff Pastry
2. 1-2 apples sliced thinly (basically 2/3 - 1 apple per tart)
3. 2/3 of a cup of brown sugar
4. lemon juice
5. a pinch of salt
6. butter, to grease the baking tray
7. icing sugar

Remember the golden rule: the better quality ingredients you use (more specifically, apples, in this case) the better your end result will taste. FACT.

You may also like to sprinkle almond shavings and/or cinnamon on top, and also serve it with ice cream (as we did).

Start by defrosting the puff pastry for around 20 minutes. Depending on the type of pastry you use, you may need to carefully separate a small section from the pastry block - as below - and then roll it into the desired shape - such as a rectangle or square.

We didn't have a rolling pin (who does?) so we niftily used a drinking bottle. If you are rolling your pastry, make sure you use plenty of flour on both the rolling board and rolling "pin" as the pastry dough can be quite sticky.

Other puff pastry types may ask you to unfold the puff pastry sheet instead of rolling it out.  Simply read the instructions on the packaging.

Either spray non-stick spray on your baking tray or lightly grease with butter, then place your pastry dough on top. Turn your oven on to 160 degrees.

Slice the apple as thinly as possible into strips and place in a mixing bowl. Here we have cut up 2 apples with half a lemon squeezed on top, and then 2/3 of a cup of brown sugar. Gently mix all three ingredients together, essentially until the sugar is sticking to the apple pieces.

Now it's time to get creative! Lay the apple slices on top of the pastry, and then place the baking tray in the oven for around 20 minutes - naturally checking every five or so minutes.

Once the pastry looks luscious and golden, you're pastry is ready. There may be some brown sauce in your pan, which is simply the brown sugar melted. (In other words, don't fret; this is normal.)

Dust the apple tart with icing sugar.

And serve warm, if you wish, with creamy cold custard. You'll be amazed at how delicious and easy this is.

If you've got leftover puff pastry, why not make this?