Buttery, flaky pastry and tender slices of apple glazed with a delicate Calvados syrup — this Apple Tart is French baking at its most effortless and beautiful. It’s a dessert that feels both rustic and refined, letting simple ingredients shine without fuss.
Rustic enough for a cozy afternoon tea but elegant enough for dinner guests, it captures the pure, simple magic of good apples and golden pastry. If you love unfussy, fruit-centered bakes, you might also enjoy our Peach Ana Dessert, another celebration of seasonal fruit with minimal effort.
With a glossy, lightly boozy glaze and soft layers of fruit, this easy Apple Tart recipe lets you savor fall flavors at their finest — with very little effort but maximum reward. And if you’re looking for a lighter, colorful side to complete a fall meal, our Fig Salad makes a bright, refreshing companion.
Quick Recipe Snapshot
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 8 slices
- Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed if frozen
- 3 medium apples (like Honeycrisp or Golden Delicious), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (25g)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (28g)
For the Calvados Syrup:
- ¼ cup apple juice (60ml)
- 2 tablespoons Calvados apple brandy (30ml)
- 1 tablespoon sugar (12g)
How to Make a French-Style Apple Tart
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the puff pastry slightly to smooth and enlarge.
- Arrange the apple slices neatly in overlapping rows over the pastry, leaving a ½-inch (1 cm) border around the edges.
- Brush the apples with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes until the pastry is puffed and golden, and the apples are tender.
- Meanwhile, prepare the syrup: combine the apple juice, Calvados, and sugar in a small saucepan.
- Bring to a simmer and cook until reduced slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Brush the warm tart generously with the Calvados syrup before serving.
Handy Tips for Success
- Slice the apples thinly for even baking and a pretty layered look.
- Choose slightly tart apples for the best balance of sweetness.
- Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
Fun Variations to Try
- Swap Calvados for regular brandy or omit alcohol and double the apple juice.
- Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg over the apples before baking.
- Use a homemade buttery tart crust instead of puff pastry for a sturdier dessert.
Nutrition Information (Per Slice)
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 14g
A Taste of French Simplicity
Simple fruit tarts have been a cornerstone of French baking for centuries, celebrated for letting seasonal produce shine.
Rustic puff pastry apple tarts like this one offer an accessible way for home cooks to create bakery-quality desserts without complicated techniques.
Today, they’re cherished worldwide for their elegance, charm, and timeless, buttery goodness.
Best Ways to Serve Apple Tart
This tart is best enjoyed slightly warm, perhaps with a dollop of whipped cream, crème fraîche, or a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.
It’s perfect for casual gatherings, elegant dinners, or afternoon tea with friends.
FAQs About Apple Tart
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes — you can bake the tart up to a day ahead. Warm slightly before serving for the best texture.
What’s the best apple for tarts?
Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, Braeburn, or Granny Smith work beautifully.
Can I freeze an apple tart?
It’s best fresh, but you can freeze baked and cooled slices for up to one month.
Final Thoughts
Light, buttery, sweet, and just a little boozy, this Apple Tart brushed with Calvados syrup captures the cozy spirit of fall in every bite.
A true simple pleasure — and a very elegant one too.
