Upside Down Apple Tarts are one of my favorite fall desserts. With sweet red delicious apples, flaky puff pastry, and a hint of cinnamon, this tart makes any night feel special. It’s easy, cozy, and always a hit with kids and adults alike. It’s easy to make and looks fancy which makes it a great option for holiday desserts for your Thanksgiving or Christmas meals.
Thanks to help from premade puff pastry, these tarts are really super simple to make. Don’t let the gorgeous look of them worry you. The trickiest part is carmelizing the apples and that’s not very hard as long as you keep an eye them.
Ingredients & Equipment
This puff pastry apple tart recipe should be very easy to shop for because all of the ingredients are all very common and should be easily found at your local grocery store. Here’s what you need:
- Puff pastry sheet
- Large apple (I used red delicious this time, but you can use your favorite variety)
- Brown sugar
- Sugar
- Butter
- Cinnamon
- Salt
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla ice cream (if desired)
Full measurements for each ingredient can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
You’ll also need a few things from your kitchen:
- Large saucepan or skillet
- Vegetable peeler
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
Step By Step Instructions
This recipe makes 6 upside down apple tarts per sheet of puff pastry. It takes 5-10 minutes of prep time, 10 minutes of cook time for the apples, and 30 minutes of baking time.
Step 1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Step 2. Core and thinly slice the apples.
Step 3. Melt the butter in the saucepan over medium meat.
Step 4. Add the apple slices to the pan. Then add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Gently stir until everything melts and is bubbling.
Step 5. Cook to cook the apples over medium heat for about 10 minutes or until the apples are tender and coated in caramel. Keep a close eye on the mixture so the caramel doesn’t burn. Then remove them from the heat and allow them to cool for a few minutes.
Step 6. Roll the puff pastry sheet out on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 6 rectangles.
Step 7. Place a sheet of parchment paper on the baking sheet.
Step 8. Cut 3 tablespoons of butter into 6 pats. Place them evenly spaced on the parchment paper.
Step 9. Place four apple slices on top of each pat of butter.
Step 10. Then place a rectangle of puff pastry on top of each set of apples. Use a fork to push down the edges of the puff pastry.
Step 11. Bake for 30 minutes or until the puff pastry has puffed up and is golden.
Step 12. Let the tarts cool for a few minutes before carefully flipping them over onto a plate.
Step 13. Dust with powdered sugar and top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.
Variations
- Swap red delicious apples for Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a tart twist. You can use any kind of apple that you want!
- Add a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts on top for crunch.
- Sprinkle a little nutmeg or cardamom along with the cinnamon for extra warmth in the flavor of the apples.
- You can also try pears instead of apples for a different fruit flavor.
- Drizzle caramel sauce over the tart after baking for a caramel apple flavor.
Leftovers & Storage
Let the tarts cool to room temperature.Then cover them tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. You can keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can wamrm in the oven or in a toaster oven at 300°F until the pastry crisps up again. If you want to keep the crust flaky, I don’t recommend using the microwave.
Tips & Tricks
- Be sure to slice apples evenly so they cook at the same rate.
- Pat apples dry with a paper towel to prevent excess moisture and a soggy crust.
- Don’t put too many slices of apple because too much can make the tart soggy.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use a different type of apple for this tart?
Try Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or any apple you love. Different apples will give the tart different flavors.
Do I have to peel the apples?
Peeling is up to you. You can peel them for a softer texture or leave the peel on for more color.
What if I don’t have puff pastry?
Pie crust works in a pinch, but puff pastry gives you that nice, flaky texture.
Do I need to serve it with anything?
It’s delicious on its own, but a little scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream are great additions.
More Apple Desserts
- Caramel Apple Trifle
- Apple Pie Bars
- Apple Crisp
- Apple Cheesecake Bars
- Apple Hand Pies
- Apple Dump Cake
- Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake
- Baked Apple Pie Dip
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 sheet Puff pastry thawed if frozen
- 1 Apple peeled, cored, and cut into thin slices
- ⅛ cup Brown sugar
- ⅛ cup Sugar
- 7 tablespoons Butter 4 for apples, 3 for tarts
- 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon optional
- pinch Salt
- Powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Core and thinly slice the apples.
- Melt the butter in the saucepan over medium meat.
- Add the apple slices to the pan. Then add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Gently stir until everything melts and is bubbling.
- Cook to cook the apples over medium heat for about 10 minutes or until the apples are tender and coated in caramel. Keep a close eye on the mixture so the caramel doesn't burn. Then remove them from the heat and allow them to cool for a few minutes.
- Roll the puff pastry sheet out on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 6 rectangles.
- Place a sheet of parchment paper on the baking sheet.
- Cut 3 tablespoons of butter into 6 pats. Place them evenly spaced on the parchment paper.
- Place four apple slices on to p of each pat of butter.
- Then place a rectangle of puff pastry on top of each set of apples. Use a fork to push down the edges of the puff pastry.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the puff pastry has puffed up and is golden.
- Let the tarts cool for a few minutes before carefully flipping them over onto a plate.
- Dust with powdered sugar and top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.
Notes
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