If you have a soft spot for classic French desserts that feel both elegant and achievable at home, you are going to fall head over heels for Michel Roux Jr’s Puff Pastry Apple Tart Recipe. This delightful tart is all about simple, high-quality ingredients coming together to create flaky, buttery puff pastry topped with tender, caramelized apple slices glazed to glossy perfection. Whether you’re serving it as a sweet ending to a dinner party or craving a comforting treat with afternoon tea, this recipe encapsulates the very essence of refined yet approachable home baking.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in Michel Roux Jr’s Puff Pastry Apple Tart Recipe is carefully chosen to build flavor, texture, and that irresistible golden color. With only a handful of pantry staples and fresh fruit, you’re setting yourself up for a truly memorable dessert.
- All-butter puff pastry sheet: Provides beautifully flaky, buttery layers crucial for the base’s light yet crisp texture.
- Firm apples (Braeburn or Golden Delicious): These varieties hold their shape well and bring a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness to the tart.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Brushed over the apples to enrich their flavor and help achieve golden browning during baking.
- Granulated sugar: Sprinkled for that lightly caramelized finish topping the apples.
- Ground cinnamon (optional): Adds a warm, aromatic note that pairs beautifully with the fruit.
- Apricot jam: Used to create a glossy glaze that seals in moisture and lends a lovely sheen.
- Water (for thinning the glaze): Ensures the apricot jam is smooth and easy to brush onto the tart.
How to Make Michel Roux Jr’s Puff Pastry Apple Tart Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Puff Pastry Base
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface until it’s about 1/8 inch thick. This ensures your tart will have that perfect crispness without being too dense. Transfer the pastry to your lined baking sheet and use a fork to prick the center, leaving a half-inch border untouched to create a delicate edge that will rise beautifully when baked.
Step 2: Slice and Arrange the Apples
Peel, core, and slice the apples thinly for even cooking and an elegant finish. Arrange them neatly in overlapping rows within the pricked area of the pastry. This step is where your tart begins to look like a piece of art, and taking your time to layer the apple slices will really pay off in presentation.
Step 3: Add Butter, Sugar, and Cinnamon
Brush the apples generously with melted butter to enrich their flavor and promote browning. Sprinkle granulated sugar over the top to create a delicate caramelization as the tart bakes. If you love a hint of spice, lightly dust the apple slices with ground cinnamon for an optional but wonderful aromatic touch.
Step 4: Bake the Tart
Bake in your preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. You’re looking for a golden puff pastry with crisp edges and tender apples that have softened without losing their shape. This step is where the magic happens, transforming simple ingredients into a stunning dessert.
Step 5: Glaze the Tart
While the tart is baking, gently warm the apricot jam with a tablespoon of water in a small saucepan until smooth. Strain if you want an extra glossy finish free of any lumps. As soon as the tart comes out of the oven, brush this warm glaze all over the apples—it adds delightful shine and a subtle fruity sweetness.
How to Serve Michel Roux Jr’s Puff Pastry Apple Tart Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch of indulgence, serve the tart with a dollop of crème fraîche or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Fresh mint leaves or a light dusting of powdered sugar also complement the warm caramel notes beautifully, adding both a pop of freshness and visual appeal.
Side Dishes
This apple tart pairs wonderfully with a light green salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette for a brunch setting or alongside a simple cup of tea or coffee when enjoyed as an afternoon treat. Keeping sides light allows the tart’s golden sweetness to shine.
Creative Ways to Present
For a stunning centerpiece, slice the apples paper-thin and create a fan or rosette pattern that elevates the tart’s elegance. Serve it warm or at room temperature, and consider placing the tart on a rustic wooden board or decorative cake stand to impress your guests even more.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover apple tart can be covered tightly and kept in the refrigerator for up to two days. To maintain the pastry’s crispness, allow it to return to room temperature before serving or briefly warm it in the oven.
Freezing
While the tart is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze the unbaked puff pastry with apples arranged on top (without the glaze) for up to a month. Wrap it well in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed before glazing.
Reheating
To reheat, place slices on a baking tray and warm in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5 to 7 minutes. This will help re-crisp the puff pastry without overcooking the apples.
FAQs
Can I use other types of apples in Michel Roux Jr’s Puff Pastry Apple Tart Recipe?
Absolutely! While Braeburn and Golden Delicious are recommended for their texture and sweetness, you can experiment with Granny Smith for tartness or Fuji for extra sweetness. Just make sure the apples are firm enough to hold their shape during baking.
Is it necessary to prick the puff pastry before adding the apples?
Pricking the pastry in the center helps prevent it from puffing up too much, maintaining a flat surface to hold the apples. Leaving the edges pricked allows the border to rise and create a lovely frame around the tart.
Can this tart be made vegan?
You can make a vegan version by using dairy-free puff pastry and substituting the butter with plant-based margarine or oil. For the glaze, use a fruit jam that does not contain gelatin and thin it with water as in the recipe.
What is the best way to slice the apples?
Peeling and coring the apples before slicing them thinly ensures they cook evenly and look beautiful on your tart. A mandoline slicer works wonders for achieving uniform thinness but using a sharp knife carefully will do the job just as well.
Can I prepare this tart in advance for a dinner party?
Yes, you can assemble the tart up to the glazing step in advance and refrigerate it for a few hours. Bake it fresh before your guests arrive, adding the apricot glaze right after baking for that perfect glossy finish.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about Michel Roux Jr’s Puff Pastry Apple Tart Recipe that captures the joy of French baking without demanding hours in the kitchen. Its elegant simplicity and delicious combination of flaky pastry and tender, sweet apples make it one of those dishes you’ll want to make again and again. So why not give it a try today? I promise, every bite will feel like a warm hug from a good friend.
Print
Michel Roux Jr’s Puff Pastry Apple Tart Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Michel Roux Jr’s Puff Pastry Apple Tart is a classic French dessert featuring thinly sliced apples arranged beautifully on a flaky all-butter puff pastry base, baked until golden and crisp, then glazed with apricot jam for a glossy finish. This elegant yet simple tart combines buttery, tender pastry with sweet, cinnamon-spiced apples, perfect for serving warm or at room temperature with crème fraîche or vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
Puff Pastry
- 1 sheet all-butter puff pastry (about 10x10 inches)
Filling
- 2–3 firm apples (e.g., Braeburn or Golden Delicious)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Glaze
- 1/4 cup apricot jam
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pastry: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry sheet until it is about 1/8 inch thick. Transfer the pastry to the prepared baking sheet and use a fork to prick the center area, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges to allow the crust to puff up.
- Prepare Apples: Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. Arrange the slices neatly over the pricked area of the pastry in overlapping rows, keeping within the border. Brush the apple slices with the melted butter, then sprinkle evenly with sugar and, if desired, the ground cinnamon for added warmth and flavor.
- Bake the Tart: Place the tart in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden and crisp, and the apples are tender but still hold their shape.
- Make the Apricot Glaze: While the tart is baking, warm the apricot jam with the tablespoon of water in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until melted and smooth. For a finer glaze, strain it through a sieve to remove any fruit chunks.
- Glaze and Cool: Once the tart is removed from the oven, generously brush the warm apricot glaze over the apple slices to create a beautiful glossy finish. Allow the tart to cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For a more refined presentation, slice the apples very thinly and arrange them in a fan or rosette pattern on the pastry.
- Serve the tart warm or at room temperature paired with crème fraîche or vanilla ice cream for an indulgent touch.
- You can use other firm apple varieties like Pink Lady or Granny Smith for different flavor profiles.
- Ensure the puff pastry is well chilled before rolling for optimal flakiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
