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A simple yet impressive dessert simple enough for weeknights, but fancy enough for holidays! This Puff Pastry Apple Tart takes just a few minutes to assemble, and 20 mins to bake!
Look how EASY this Puff Pastry Tart is – I am SO excited to share this recipe with you all! Puff pastry makes a wonderful base (check out this Tomato Tart, too) topped with brown sugar, pecans, apple…. whipped cream – I mean, what’s not to love, right?
This entire dessert was born from necessity. I had unexpected guests arriving for dinner – SOON – so, threw some extra beans in the chili, made cornbread to make it all go further – but had nothing to serve for dessert!
I grabbed some store-bought puff pastry sheets, some apples, and got right to work. With no time to bake an apple pie, this is the next best thing! Top it off with ice cream, serve it warm and you have a winner!
We all love this – it really is perfect for every day AND major holiday celebrations – no one said things had to be complex to be amazing, right?
You could use any kind of apple for this – I just happened to have gala apples on the counter, and some puff pastry in the freezer. I generally always have these items (plus hello, brown sugar and pecans, too!)
Love easy desserts? Try Apple Dumplings, or this Raspberry Pastry Braid, or these Oreo Dirt Pudding Parfaits!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Quick and Easy. No one needs to slave for hours for this. 20 minutes, and its yours!
- Simple ingredients. Nothing fancy, and nothing difficult. 6 ingredients. BOOM!
Equipment Needed
- Mandolin (a knife can be used, of course)
- Baking Sheet
- Pizza Cutter or Knife
Recipe Ingredients and Possible Substitutes
The full list of ingredients and quantities is found in the printable recipe card below.
How to make this recipe
Scroll for Recipe
The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Get prepped
Begin by thawing the frozen puff pastry on your counter. It should take about 20 minutes. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, or use a stone pan.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Core the apples, and cut in half. Cut into slices (they should be fairly thin so they cook all the way through – use a mandolin if you have one).
Prepare the apples
In a large bowl, combine the cinnamon, brown sugar and salt.
Add the apple slices and mix well, making sure each slice is covered. Set aside for 5 minutes. Apple juices will form in the bowl.
Assembly
Roll out your puff pastry to the desired size, and using a pizza cutter – cut the edges (to fold over later – see pics) and place it on a baking sheet.
Drizzle a little of the liquid from the apples on top, then top with half of the pecans.
Arrange the apple slices in even rows, overlapping a little.
Top with remaining pecans.
Bake
Bake at 425 degrees F for 18-22 minutes, or until the edges of the pastry are golden brown.
Remove from oven and allow to cool.
Devour.
Kylee’s Notes
- Thaw the puff pastry on the counter while you heat the oven, and prep the apples, and we’re in BUSINESS!!
- Cover the pasty while it thaws, it should only take about 20 mins, and should still be cold to touch.
- To get your apple slices perfect and thinly sliced, use a mandolin (affiliate link) if you have one.
- If you are making far ahead, add lemon juice to the apples to prevent them from browning.
- Keep a few chopped pecans handy
for snackingfor topping before serving. You can use a knife, or blitz in the food processor (affiliate link) - Want a variation? Add raisins! Drizzle with a vanilla glaze!
- Make miniature versions: cut the pastry into 6-8 even slices, and top/bake as before.
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Brown Sugar Pecan Apple Tart
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed)
- 2 small apples
- 1 Tbs cinnamon
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup whole pecans (chopped roughly (divided))
To serve
- whipped cream
- extra cinnamon
- extra pecans
Directions
- Begin by thawing the puff pastry on your counter. It should take about 20 minutes.
- Core the apples, and cut in half. Cut into slices (they should be fairly thin so they cook all the way through – use a mandolin if you have one).
- In a large bowl, combine the cinnamon, brown sugar and salt.
- Add the apple slices and mix well, making sure each slice is covered. Set aside for 5 minutes. Liquid will form in the bowl.
- Roll out your puff pastry to desired size, and using a pizza cutter – cut the edges (to fold over later – see pics)
- Drizzle a little of the liquid from the apples on top, then top with half of the pecans.
- Add the apple slices in even rows, overlapping a little.
- Top with remaining pecans.
- Bake at 425F for 18-22 minutes, or until the edges are a golden brown.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool.
To serve
- Cut into slices, top with whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon and pecans.
- Devour.
Notes
- Thaw the puff pastry on the counter while you heat the oven, and prep the apples, and we’re in BUSINESS!!
- Cover the pasty while it thaws, it should only take about 20 mins, and should still be cold to touch.
- To get your apple slices perfect and thinly sliced, use a mandolin (affiliate link) if you have one.
- Keep a few chopped pecans handy
for snackingfor topping before serving. You can use a knife, or blitz in the food processor (affiliate link) - Want a variation? Add raisins! Drizzle with a vanilla glaze!
- Make miniature versions: cut the pastry into 6-8 even slices, and top/bake as before.
Nutrition Facts
Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Update: This recipe was originally published in November of 2017. It was republished in August of 2021.
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
This looks so fancy!! I need to start baking more with puff pastry 🙂
Meliann says
Perfect autumn treat! They look really scrumptious and I love that they are super easy to make! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Monica | Nourish & Fete says
What a fantastic “emergency” dessert! Apple tarts are so lovely and comforting, and the pecans make this one especially tasty!