Salted caramel tarte tatin (2024)

FAQs

How do you know when tarte Tatin is done? ›

When the pastry is nicely browned and crisp, it's done. This means that if the sautéed apples aren't mostly cooked, that they're still crunchy inside, it needs more time on the stove before it goes in the oven or the baked tatin won't have perfectly tender apples.

This may be more of an issue with apples than with pears. Some bakers suggest cutting the fruit and placing it in the refrigerator overnight to dry out and prevent this. Another reason the dessert may become soggy is if it sits out too long. Tarte tatin is best enjoyed warm as the crust will get soggy as it cools.

Bake the tarte Tatin for 20 to 25 minutes, until the crust is golden brown. Cool the tarte Tatin briefly. Set the tarte on a cooling rack and cool for 10-20 minutes. Invert the tarte Tatin.

French-Style Apple Tart (Tarte Tatin)

To test, gently jiggle the tart pan- if the centre of the tart jiggles slightly, the tart is done. If the centre is still watery, return tart to the oven for another 3-5 minutes. Allow the tart to completely cool before serving. Enjoy!

When baking Puff Pastry, note that it's done when it's golden and puffy, not wet and doughy. Use the baking time in the recipe as a guideline, and rely on your eyes as well.

The key to a successful tarte lies in the type of skillet you use. Cast iron, enameled cast iron, or a special tarte tatin mold, available at many kitchenware shops, are best. In any case, it should be heavy-bottomed, with a handle that can withstand the heat of the oven.

In an alternative version of the tart's origin, Stéphanie baked a caramelized apple tart upside-down by mistake: regardless, she served her guests the unusual dish. A manuscript written by teacher Marie Souchon explains that the recipe was shared to them by the cook of Count Alfred Leblanc de Chatauvillard.

For best results, cook a day or two ahead and keep in its pan or dish in the fridge, then reheat in the oven for 20 mins at 150C/130C fan/gas 2 an hour before serving. Turn out to serve as above.

Once it is thoroughly chilled, return the pan and it's contents to the stove over medium high heat and gently, with splayed palms, rotate the tart to be sure that it doesn't stick to the pan when you unmold it. With a plate held taut over the pan, quickly (and calmly) invert the pan onto the plate and voila!

What can I use instead of a tarte Tatin tin? ›

You could use a cast iron ovenproof pan but as these are sturdier in construction than a tart tatin pan it will need to be preheated in the oven for slightly longer than the thin metal pan. We would suggest giving it 10-15 minutes in the oven before using.

Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate, lightly covered, for at least one day or up to three days.

Named after the woman who invented it, the Tarte Tatin (tart tah-TAN) is a famous French "upside-down" caramelized apple tart or Tarte aux pommes (caramélisé). Basically, the apples are underneath the dough – topsy-turvy indeed.

The best wines to pair with tarte tatin

For me, two types of botrytized sweet wine trump almost all others: Riesling and Chenin Blanc. Both have an affinity with apple and retain their acidity, and in botrytized form they're rich enough for the caramel (made with white or golden sugar).

For large 9"/10" tarts: Bake on a rimmed baking sheet for about 15-20 minutes or until the dough has hardened a bit, but is still very pale in color. Remove the weights and bake for another 5-10 minutes or until golden brown.

Bake the apple crisp until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is golden brown and crisp, about 45 minutes. Serve the crisps warm with vanilla bean ice cream or fresh whipped cream, if desired.

Pastries are done when they are baked to a nice golden brown, unless they contain chocolate, coffee, or something else that makes it difficult to tell. They should be crisp on the bottom, not soft or soggy. If they involve batter, a tester inserted in the center will come out clean or with only a few crumbs.