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Apple and Custard Tart

17/11/2023

The apple and custard tart is a classic and exquisite dessert that combines the sweetness of the apples with the softness of the custard. Here is a basic recipe you can follow:

Ingredients

  • 1 roll of shortcrust pastry or if you prefer to make it at home:
    • 300g of flour
    • 150g of cold butter, in pieces
    • 150g of sugar
    • 1 whole egg and 1 yolk
    • A pinch of salt
  • Custard:
    • 500ml of milk
    • 4 egg yolks
    • 100g of sugar
    • 40g of flour
    • The zest of 1 lemon (yellow part only)
  • 3-4 apples (golden or rennet are excellent for this)
  • Brown sugar or granulated sugar for sprinkling
  • Cinnamon (optional)
  • Icing sugar (for decoration)

Preparation

  1. If you are making the shortcrust pastry at home, start by mixing the flour with the butter in a bowl, working with the tips of your fingers until you get a consistency similar to breadcrumbs. Add the sugar, the whole egg, the yolk, and the pinch of salt, then quickly knead until a homogeneous dough is formed. Wrap the shortcrust pastry in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

  2. In the meantime, prepare the custard. Heat the milk with the lemon zest without bringing it to a boil. In a bowl, beat the yolks with the sugar until they are light and fluffy, then incorporate the flour. Remove the lemon zest from the hot milk and pour the milk into the bowl in a thin stream, mixing it with the yolks without stopping.

  3. Transfer the mixture back into the pot and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the cream thickens. Once ready, cover it with cling film in contact and let it cool.

  4. Peel the apples, remove the core, and slice them thinly. You can add a bit of cinnamon to the apples for an extra aromatic touch.

  5. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Roll out the shortcrust pastry into an even layer and line a tart pan with it, pricking the bottom with a fork. Pour the custard over the shortcrust pastry base and arrange the apple slices on top in a radial pattern or as you like. Sprinkle the apples with some brown sugar or granulated sugar.

  6. Bake the tart for about 40-45 minutes or until the pastry is golden and the apples are caramelized.

  7. Let the apple and custard tart cool before sprinkling with icing sugar and serving.

Curiosity

The apple and custard tart is a dessert with origins in ancient European pastry, spread in various forms and variations. In Italy, it is appreciated for its balance of flavors and for the simplicity of preparation, making it an ideal choice even for those who are approaching home baking for the first time.

Apple and Custard Tart