Prep Time: 15 min
Bake Time: 40 min
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: Budget-Friendly
The Tarte Tatin, a beloved classic of French pastry, wins hearts with its irresistible combo of caramelized apples and flaky, golden puff pastry. This iconic upside-down tart was allegedly born by accident at the Tatin sisters' hotel—and became one of the most delicious mistakes in pastry history!
In this traditional Tarte Tatin recipe, we’ll show you how to create the perfect version: tender apples, a rich butter caramel, and crisp pastry all in one elegant dessert.
Follow these step-by-step instructions to create a beautifully caramelized and crisp Tarte Tatin at home.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
In a skillet over medium heat, melt the sugar until it turns a golden caramel. Add 50g of butter, cut into pieces, and stir gently to combine.
Pour the caramel into the bottom of your tart pan and spread evenly.
Peel and quarter the apples. Tightly arrange them in the pan, rounded side down against the caramel.
Sprinkle with vanilla sugar and a pinch of cinnamon, if using.
Dot the apples with the remaining 50g of butter, cut into small chunks.
Place the tart pan over low heat on the stove for 5–10 minutes to let the apples absorb the caramel. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Unroll your puff pastry (or shortcrust) and place it over the apples.
Tuck the edges of the dough inside the pan to fully enclose the filling.
Bake at 350°F (180°C) for about 40 minutes, until the pastry is golden and crisp.
Let the tart rest for 10 minutes after baking.
Place a serving plate over the pan and flip quickly and carefully to invert the tart.
Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of crème fraîche for extra indulgence.
You’ve now got the perfect easy Tarte Tatin recipe to try at home.
But if you want to go one step further and learn how to make a next-level version, let award-winning chef Pierre-Jean Quinonero guide you on VoilaChef!
This talented French pastry chef reveals his signature Tarte Tatin, featuring:
With 11 detailed video lessons, you'll learn how to master every layer, from the flakiest dough to a perfectly balanced caramel.
→ Try VoilaChef for free and create a show-stopping Tarte Tatin that will wow your guests every time!
