Ingredients:
For the crust:
– 185 grams of unsalted butter, softened
– 100 grams of caster sugar
– 1 egg yolk
– 250 grams of all-purpose flour
– A pinch of salt
For the cream filling:
– 100 grams of caster sugar
– 3 eggs
– 150 ml of double cream
– 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
For the caramelized apples:
– 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
– 4 firm apples, peeled, cored and sliced
– 2 tablespoons of caster sugar
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C.
2. For the crust, cream the butter and sugar together, then add the egg yolk and mix until well combined. Sift together the flour and salt and add them to the butter mixture. With your hands, knead the mixture until it forms a smooth dough. Wrap it in cling film and chill for 30 minutes.
3. Roll the dough out on a floured surface to fit a 23cm tart tin. Gently lay the dough into the tin and press it into the edges. Prick the base with a fork and chill in the fridge for 10 minutes.
4. Line the tart shell with baking paper and fill with baking beans or rice. Blind-bake the tart shell for 15 minutes.
5. Remove from the oven and remove the baking beans and baking paper. Return the tart shell to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes until light golden brown.
6. While the shell is baking, make the cream filling. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar and eggs until light and frothy. Add the double cream and vanilla extract and whisk until well combined.
7. Once the tart shell is baked, take it out of the oven and pour the cream mixture into the shell. Return it to the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the cream is set.
8. In a frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced apples and sprinkle with caster sugar. Cook the apples for 5-10 minutes until they are caramelized and golden brown.
9. Top the tart with the caramelized apples, ensuring that they are spread out evenly. Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
This caramelized apple cream tart is a joy to behold, with its deliciously buttery shortcrust pastry, rich creamy filling and sweet caramelized apples. It’s a delectable dessert that’s perfect for any occasion, from afternoon tea with friends, to a show-stopping end to a dinner party. With just a few ingredients and some basic baking skills, you can make this irresistible tart in no time.