Easy Pastry Shop Apple Tart

September 21st, 2010

We are still enjoying the Honey Crisp apples that we brought back from Michigan.  I thought about making a traditional apple pie, but the weather has been so hot this month that a pie seemed too heavy to be enjoyed properly.  Laura Calder to the rescue!  I am enjoying her French Food at Home show on the new Cooking Channel.  One of the things I’ve noticed about her is the simplicity of her recipes and the fact that she uses very few kitchen gadgets.  She whips her cream by hand in a copper bowl, she chops and dices without the aid of a food processor, and her kitchen always seems so serene.  Now I’m not saying that I am giving up my kitchen gadgets, but I love the sense of calm that she projects in her kitchen.  You can almost hear the birds singing in her yard.  But I digress (borrowed that one from My Year on the Grill).

Laura made this simple apple tart last week.  The crust is cookie-like, comes together simply and is patted into either a springform pan or a tart pan.  I considered using my 9 inch tart pan, but thought the filling would overflow, so I made it in my high- sided springform pan.  Next time, I will be brave and use the tart pan because the filling takes up very little space and I love the ridges that result on the crust.

But what makes this tart so special is the cream cheese filling.  It is what makes this “Pastry Shop” good!  You know those wonderful cream filled pastries that you get from the bakery.  That is what this tart tastes like.  It is so good that I had it for breakfast one morning with my coffee and I was enraptured.  The gilding on the lily of this tart is the layer of cinnamon spiced apple slices with almonds scattered about.  Simple and decadent at the same time.  A perfect tart.

EASY PASTRY SHOP APPLE TART

For the crust:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vinilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour

For the cream filling:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the top:
3 apples, peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup slivered almonds

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Make the crust:  Cream the butter and sugar.  Stir in the vanilla.  Finally, mix in the flour to make a smooth dough.  Press into the botton of an 8-inch springform pan (I used a 9-inch pan or a 9-inch tart pan), giving it about a 1-inch rim.  Bake 15 minutes, or until lightly golden.  Remove the tart shell from the oven.

While the crust bakes, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, egg and vanilla for the cream filling until smooth.  Make the topping by tossing the apple slices with the cinnamon and sugar.

Spread the cream cheese mixture into the tart shell.  Arrange the apple slices on top in a spiral pattern and then scatter the nuts on top.  Bake until the apples are tender and golden, about 40 minutes.

I am submitting this recipe to the Hearth ‘n Soul blog hop.  Go over to Girlichef’s blog to see all of the wonderful “REAL” food entries this week.

Printable recipe

25 responses to “Easy Pastry Shop Apple Tart”

  1. I enjoy Laura’s show too and we tevo it so we can watch it whenever we want. I saw this exact same episode Penny when she made this ultra-simple pastry. I’m so glad you’ve tested it. Your tart looks gorgeous.
    Sam

  2. Rita says:

    What a great photo of that tart; saw that episode. I follow her French cooking show also; she is the best.
    Rita

  3. Susan says:

    I have not seen that show, but I know I would love it. Your tart is beatutiful.

  4. Christy says:

    Oh,I love apple anything and this tart looks so appetizing! Yum, I could go for a piece right now. Thanks for linking to the hearth’nsoul blog hop!

  5. Pondside says:

    I’ve never watched the show you mention, but if it features recipes like this one, perhaps it’s time to set the PVR. My sister makes something a bit like this, but I never make her recipe when the family gets together – so it will be nice to offer another take on apple tart.

  6. thanks for the shout out… And I have everything in my pantry to make this… Great way to spend my lunch hour!

    I usually crank up an Elvis CD while I cook… so, not too serene… But I digress 😉

  7. Lyla says:

    Penny,
    I know people say this all the time, but I mean it when I say I can actually smell the tart. Maybe it’s that I am here in apple country, but it’s more likely that your description and picture made the apple tart come to life. I’ve run it off and am now running out to get apples. Thanks.

  8. Melynda says:

    What a beautiful looking dessert, thanks so much.

  9. I am going to try to make this weekend. I heard references to Apple Tarts at least three times yesterday & can’t believe you posted this wonderful sounding treat!

  10. Adrienne says:

    This looks delicious! I went apple picking last weekend and I’m looking for ideas (other than applesauce, butter, and pie filling). Thanks for linking up to H&S!

  11. Donnie says:

    This seems so easy to do if I follow the steps. I love her show too and would love to downscale my kitchen utensils, etc but I’m always afraid I’ll need them. Usually it’s only for 1 recipe a year. Beautiful photo’s.

  12. I have to catch Laura’s show. The tart sounds delicious. Cream cheese and I are best friends!! Thank you!

    xoxo
    Jane

  13. Kate says:

    I haven’t seen this show. Think I am going to try this tart, though….I love apple season!

  14. Hey sweet thing… Made this during my lunch hour yesterday, posted it this morning… what a winner of a recipe!

  15. Yes I do remember those pies well!!!

  16. Wow, what a beautiful tart. I would have thought is was store-bought for certain. Thank you for sharing it with Hearth and Soul.

  17. girlichef says:

    I didn’t realize you were in my neck of the woods!! This is a gorgeous way to use your apples, love any apple baking recipes. Thank you for sharing it w/ the hns hop this week, Penny =)

  18. Robin Sue says:

    Honeycrisps are my favorite and they are finally sold in my grocery store! I used some to make nutella pizza last night. I do love the cream cheese in the tarts to add some specialness to them, reminds me of Europe!

  19. Big Dude says:

    Just getting caught up after being gone for a week. Tis the season for apple dishes and the tart looks delicious. Thanks for the info on “Dirty Dancing” – we’re fans of the movie.

  20. Barbara says:

    That looks a delight, Penny, and so simple to make!

  21. Oh penny! Apple tart is one of my favorites of all time! It for some reason seems so FRENCH to me! Very cool and good to see you on the hearth and soul hop again! 🙂 Alex@amoderatelife

  22. Katy ~ says:

    This looks absolutely delicious. I’ll keep this beauty in mind when I need to impress; oh who am I kidding, I am going to make it for myself!

  23. That sounds wonderful! We have so many wonderful apples in season right now! I’m looking forward to meeting you at Penny’s soon! Have a nice week! ♥

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