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Apple Tarte Tatin

An apple tart tatin is a classic French dessert everyone should learn how to make. It is also the perfect easy dessert to make for any holiday meal. Considered a simply pastry where the fruit (most commonly apples) are caramelized in butter and sugar before the tart is baked. A tarte tatin is for the most part, an upside-down apple tart. And like many amazing things the food world, was created accidentally.

apple tarte tatin

The general belief about the tarts origin is that this classic dish was actually created by mistake. In the late 19th century, sisters Stéphanie and Caroline Tatin ran the 14-room Hôtel Tatin  in Lamotte-Beuvron, Loir-et-Cher, just outside of Paris, in a small village on the banks of the Sologne River.

apple tarte tatin

One day, while making a traditional apple pie, Stéphanie, who ran the kitchen, overcooked the apples by mistake caramelizing them. Once she noticed, Stéphanie tried to save the dish by putting a pâte brisée pastry on top of the apple and placing the whole pan in the oven. Much to their surprise, the upside down tart was an instant hit with guests and a classic dessert was born.

apple tarte tatin

Stéphanie and Caroline never actually named their invention “Tarte Tatin”, but instead referring to it as a “Tarte Solognote” due to the hotels proximity to the river. Food writer Curnonsky, nicknamed the prince of gastronomy, added “Tatin” and the rest they say is history. The hotel is now run by Caillé family and this elegantly rustic dessert remains on their menu to this day.

apple tarte tatin

I learned how to make this classic dessert in culinary school when making your own puff pastry was required. And while I love, and encourage, any avid baker to partake in that endeavor, I also appreciate a good short cut, especially during a holiday. A good-quality store bough puff pasty does the trick nicely in this recipe turning this old favorite into a quick, almost effortless dessert everyone will love.

apple tarte tatin

About the Author

Andrea Potischman

I am a professionally trained NYC chef turned CA mom and food blogger. I post about real food, with doable ingredient lists that are family friendly.

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