Classic French Tarte Tatin
2/14/2026
Recipe Card
This classic French Tarte Tatin is a delectable upside-down caramelized apple pie with a buttery, flaky pastry crust. Perfect for dessert lovers, it balances the sweetness of apples with the rich depth of caramel.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet of puff pastry (thawed)
- 6-8 medium apples (preferably firm, such as Granny Smith)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Peel, core, and quarter the apples, then toss them with lemon juice to prevent browning.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a heavy, oven-proof skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and sugar together until the mixture begins to bubble and turn a golden caramel color.
Stir in the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to the caramel.
Arrange the apples in the skillet, cut side up, in a circular pattern. Pack them tightly as they will shrink during cooking.
Cook the apples in the caramel on medium heat for approximately 10 minutes, occasionally basting them with the caramel sauce.
Remove the skillet from the heat and carefully drape the puff pastry over the apples, tucking the edges down into the skillet.
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and crisp.
Let the tart cool slightly, then carefully invert it onto a serving plate. Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or crème fraîche.