Rustic Apple Tarte Tatin Recipe

Apple Tarte Tatin Recipe with a Rustic French Touch

A mouthwatering Jamie Oliver’s apple tarte tatin elevates dessert from mundane to magnificent with its seductive caramel and tender fruit layers.

Golden pastry cradles perfectly caramelized apples in a symphony of sweet sophistication.

This French classic transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that whispers elegance.

Crisp edges and soft, luxurious filling create a sensory experience that captivates from first glance.

Professional techniques meld with home-style comfort, making this dessert accessible yet impressive.

The magic lies in precise caramelization and confident technique.

One slice promises to transport you straight to a cozy French kitchen, leaving dinner companions utterly enchanted.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 310 kcal

Servings: 5

Jamie Oliver Apple Tarte Tatin Ingredient Guide

For The Pastry Base:
  • Puff Pastry: Select an all-butter variety for a rich, flaky texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Flour: Choose fine, soft flour to create a smooth dusting surface for easy rolling.
For The Caramel and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Sugar: Pick granulated white sugar for smooth, even caramelization.
  • Calvados: Opt for an aged apple brandy that adds depth and complexity to the caramel.
  • Vanilla Seeds, Vanilla Pod: Select fresh, plump vanilla pods with visible moisture for intense aromatic flavor.
  • Butter: Choose high-quality unsalted butter with a creamy, rich profile for maximum taste.
For The Fruit:
  • Apples: Select firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Golden Delicious that hold their shape during cooking and balance the sweet caramel.

Tools for Baking Jamie Oliver Apple Tarte Tatin

  • Oven: Preheat to perfectly golden temperatures.
  • Frying pan: Large, oven-safe for caramel magic.
  • Rolling pin: Helps stretch pastry to delicate perfection.
  • Teaspoon: Perfect for scooping out apple cores.
  • Wooden spoon: Great for tucking pastry edges.
  • Serving plate: Larger than the cooking pan for smooth flipping.
  • Oven mitt: Protects hands from scorching hot caramel and pan.
  • Knife: Sharp tool for precise apple slicing.
  • Measuring cups: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Cutting board: Clean surface for apple preparation.

Baking Instructions for Jamie Oliver Apple Tarte Tatin

Baking Instructions for Jamie Oliver Apple Tarte Tatin
  • Warm Up the Oven

Get your oven ready by heating it to a toasty 375°F. Dust your workspace with a light layer of flour, preparing for pastry magic.

  • Shape the Pastry

Roll out the dough into a thin, delicate sheet. Make sure it’s big enough to generously drape over your cooking pan with extra room to spare.

  • Transform Apples

Peel and halve the apples, scooping out their centers with a quick twist of a spoon. Prepare them for their caramel dance.

  • Craft Caramel Magic

Heat a pan and sprinkle sugar, watching it melt into a golden river. Add a splash of Calvados and vanilla seeds to create a rich, aromatic base.

  • Cook Apple Symphony

Gently lay apple halves into the bubbling caramel. Let them shimmer and soften, absorbing the sweet, golden essence for about 5 minutes.

  • Wrap and Bake

Dot the pan with butter cubes, then drape the pastry over the caramelized apples. Tuck the edges lovingly into the sticky sauce. Slide into the oven and bake until the pastry turns a beautiful golden brown and caramel edges start to bubble.

  • Dramatic Reveal

Grab a protective mitt and a large serving plate. In one swift, confident motion, flip the pan to reveal the stunning tarte tatin. Let it rest briefly, allowing the caramel to settle and cool slightly.

Serve with a creamy scoop of vanilla ice cream, transforming this classic French dessert into a moment of pure culinary joy.

Jamie Oliver Apple Tarte Tatin: Extra Tips

  • Swap Apples Smartly: Experiment with pears, peaches, or quince for a delightful twist on the classic tarte tatin. Each fruit brings its unique sweetness and texture to the dessert.
  • Master Caramel Techniques: Watch the sugar carefully to prevent burning. Remove from heat when it reaches a golden amber color, stirring gently to ensure even caramelization.
  • Perfect Pastry Hack: Use store-bought puff pastry for a quick shortcut, or make your own for an extra-special homemade touch. Keep the pastry chilled until just before rolling to maintain its flaky texture.
  • Flavor Boosting Tricks: Enhance the caramel with a splash of rum, brandy, or a sprinkle of cinnamon. A pinch of sea salt can elevate the overall flavor profile and balance the sweetness.

Serving Jamie Oliver Apple Tarte Tatin Warm

  • Pair with Creamy Companions: Serve alongside a scoop of smooth vanilla ice cream or a generous dollop of rich crème fraiche to balance the warm, caramelized apple flavors.
  • Elegant Dessert Presentation: Place the tarte on a beautiful ceramic plate, allowing the golden caramel and perfectly arranged apple halves to showcase the artful French pastry technique.
  • Wine Pairing Delight: Complement the dessert with a sweet Sauternes or a crisp late-harvest Riesling that echoes the caramel's depth and the apples' subtle sweetness.
  • Garnish with Finesse: Sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar or add a few fresh mint leaves to enhance the visual appeal and provide a subtle aromatic touch.

Storage for Jamie Oliver Apple Tarte Tatin

  • Preserve Freshness: Store leftover Tarte Tatin in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The delicate pastry might soften slightly, but the caramelized flavor remains deliciously intense.
  • Reheat with Care: Warm individual slices in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for 5-7 minutes to restore the pastry's crispness and revive the caramel's rich aroma.
  • Freezing Strategy: Wrap completely cooled Tarte Tatin tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before gently reheating.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the tart one day in advance. Keep covered at room temperature, and briefly warm before serving to maintain its delectable texture and stunning caramelized appearance.
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Rustic Apple Tarte Tatin Recipe

Rustic Apple Tarte Tatin Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 26 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Celebrated chef Jamie Oliver’s apple tarte tatin brings French culinary elegance to home kitchens. Classic caramelized apples sit atop buttery pastry, inviting you to savor a simple yet sophisticated dessert that transports taste buds to Normandy.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 5 small eating apples (sweet and acidic varieties, approx. 800g/28.2 oz)
  • 500g/17.6 oz puff pastry
  • 100g/3.5 oz golden caster sugar
  • 50g/1.8 oz butter, cubed
  • 100ml/3.4 fl oz calvados
  • 1 vanilla pod, halved lengthways, seeds scraped out
  • flour (plain, for dusting)

Instructions

  1. Pastry Preparation: Dust work surface with flour, roll puff pastry to 0.5 centimeters thickness, ensuring it extends 5 centimeters beyond the oven-safe pan’s diameter.
  2. Apple Preparation: Peel apples, halve lengthwise, remove seeds and core using a teaspoon, creating uniform fruit segments.
  3. Caramel Creation: Heat pan over medium flame, combine sugar, Calvados, vanilla seeds, and pod. Allow sugar to transform into a golden-hued caramel, stirring attentively to prevent burning.
  4. Apple Caramelization: Gently place apple halves into the molten caramel, coating thoroughly. Cook for 5 minutes until apples soften and develop a rich, toffee-like essence.
  5. Pastry Layering: Distribute cubed butter across the pan, then delicately drape prepared pastry over caramelized apples, carefully tucking edges into the caramel using a wooden spoon.
  6. Baking Process: Position pan in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven. Bake 25-30 minutes until pastry achieves a golden-brown hue and caramel bubbles enticingly around the edges.
  7. Inversion and Serving: Protect hand with oven mitt, place a larger serving plate over the pan. Execute a swift, confident flip to reveal the caramelized apple masterpiece. Rest briefly, allowing caramel to slightly cool. Serve with vanilla ice cream or crème fraiche.

Notes

  • Handle Caramel with Care: Hot caramel can cause severe burns, so use extreme caution and avoid direct skin contact during preparation.
  • Perfect Apple Selection: Choose firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Braeburn that hold their shape during cooking and provide a balanced flavor profile.
  • Master the Pastry Technique: Roll puff pastry gently to an even 0.5 cm thickness, ensuring it covers the pan with extra margin for a professional-looking tart.
  • Invert with Confidence: Use a plate larger than the pan and perform a swift, smooth motion when flipping the tarte Tatin to prevent caramel spillage and maintain the beautiful presentation.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: British

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 310
  • Sugar: 21 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 39 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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