Dive into the delightful world of homemade apple tartlets, a recipe that transforms simple ingredients into exquisite individual pastries. Perfect for apple lovers and baking enthusiasts alike, this recipe promises a sweet journey to culinary delight, yielding eight beautiful tartlets that are as delicious as they are charming.
Why You'll Love This: These apple tartlets are a testament to the beauty of baking from scratch. The combination of a buttery, flaky crust with the sweet and cinnamon-spiced apple filling offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors. The individual size makes them ideal for serving and adds a personal touch to each dessert. Plus, the joy of making your own pastry from scratch is an unbeatable experience.
Perfect Occasion: These tartlets are perfect for any occasion, whether it's a cozy family gathering, a sophisticated tea party, or a special celebration. Their individual size and elegant presentation make them a great choice for dinner parties or as a thoughtful homemade gift. Enjoy them as a delightful end to a meal or a sweet treat to brighten any day.
Decoration Tips:
- Dust with powdered sugar for a simple, elegant finish.
- Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves or thinly sliced apple for a pop of color and freshness.
- Use cookie cutters to create decorative pastry tops for a festive touch.
For the Pastry:
- 125g of softened butter, room temperature.
- 100g of sugar.
- Zest of 1 lemon.
- 1 egg yolk.
- 200g of all-purpose flour.
- 50g of cornstarch.
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder.
- A pinch of salt.
- Sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking powder, then combine. Mix with a spatula; although it seems like a lot of flour, it will fully incorporate.
- Press the dough together without kneading. Place it between plastic wrap, flatten, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
For the Filling:
- 3 peeled, cored, and diced apples.
- 1 tablespoon of butter.
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Juice of 1/2 lemon.
- 2 tablespoons of sugar.
- 1 teaspoon of cornstarch.
- Combine all ingredients in a pot and cook over medium heat for 6 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
To Assemble and Bake:
- Preheat oven to 180°C (356°F).
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut into even squares. Brush the edges with egg yolk, add the filling to the center, and make a cross incision on top. Crimp the edges with a fork. Place on a baking sheet and sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
Enjoy these delightful homemade apple tartlets, a treat that combines the joy of baking with the simple pleasure of sharing sweet moments. Enjoy!