Green Apple Tart
There’s something irresistible about the combination of buttery, flaky pastry and tart, juicy apples. Enter the Green Apple Tart—my go-to dessert when I want to impress with something elegant and homey. Green apples bring their signature tangy bite, while a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg adds warmth, making this tart the perfect comforting fall dessert.
Green apples are a true tart-lovers dream. Their firm texture holds up beautifully during baking, ensuring every slice stays intact without turning mushy. The slight sourness of these green gems balances the sweetness of the filling, giving this tart a nuanced flavor profile that’s more interesting than your run-of-the-mill apple pie.
A tart is only as good as its base, and this one is buttery bliss. The combination of cold, cubed butter and just the right amount of flour creates that flaky, melt-in-your-mouth texture you crave in a homemade pastry. The secret? Keep everything cold. Whether you use a food processor or mix by hand, the goal is to prevent the butter from melting into the dough before baking so those delicious layers form as it cooks.
This simple crust recipe has a lovely balance of sweet and salty with just a tablespoon of sugar for a hint of sweetness, while a dash of salt enhances the flavors of the filling. Once baked, it becomes the perfect canvas for the apple filling.
When it comes to the filling, we keep things cozy. The apples are tossed in a mix of brown and granulated sugars with ground cinnamon and nutmeg for a bit of spice. The cinnamon provides that classic apple dessert flavor, while the nutmeg adds a touch of depth. A splash of vanilla and some lemon juice to give the filling complexity—balancing tartness with warmth.
One little trick I love is dotting the apples with butter before baking. These small pieces of butter melt into the apples, adding richness and creating that gooey, caramelized effect as the sugar and juices bubble together in the oven. It’s those little details that make all the difference!
Finish the tart with a simple apricot glaze. It’s just two ingredients—apricot jam and water—but it gives the tart that beautiful, glossy finish you’d expect from a bakery. The sweet, fruity jam also enhances the flavor of the apples without overwhelming their natural tartness. The result is a dessert that’s as stunning as it is delicious.
You can serve the tart warm, straight from the oven, or let it cool to room temperature. It pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of lightly whipped cream. The creamy, cold contrast is the ultimate complement to the warm, spiced apples and crispy crust. It’s the kind of dessert that feels indulgent but not overly heavy, making it ideal for any season.
Green Apple Tart
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 tbsp sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- 3-4 tbsp ice water
- 4-5 large green apples, cored and thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp apricot jam
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- In a food processor or by hand, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter and pulse (or use a pastry cutter) until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough just comes together.
- Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- While the dough chills, core and thinly slice the green apples. Toss the apple slices in a bowl with lemon juice to prevent browning.
- In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and flour. Toss the apple slices with this sugar mixture until evenly coated.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a circle about 12 inches in diameter and about 1/8 inch thick. Transfer the dough to a tart pan with a removable bottom (about 9-10 inches in diameter), pressing it gently into the bottom and up the sides. Trim any excess dough.
- Arrange the apple slices in a circular pattern, slightly overlapping each slice in a spiral, starting from the outside and working toward the center.
- Dot the apples with small pieces of butter.
- Bake the tart in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crust is golden brown.
- While the tart is baking, warm the apricot jam and water in a small saucepan over low heat until it becomes a smooth glaze.
- Once the tart is out of the oven, brush the apples with the warm apricot glaze for a beautiful shiny finish.
- Let the tart cool slightly before removing it from the tart pan. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy!
