Simple Grated Apple Tart Recipe

Table of Contents

What is the best apple to use for baking?

Fall is here (finally!) and that means stores are bursting with different apple varieties! But, which apple is best for baking and which ones should you just bite right into? I grew up in New England and apple desserts are pretty much standard menu items in the fall.

If you want to make my rhubarb apple crisp or a rustic apple tart, here are a few of the best apple varieties to look for:

• Jonagold: Hold up nicely in the oven and retain a good amount of their texture.
• Honeycrisp: Delicious eaten right off the tree but also holds up well to baking.
• Braeburn: Not too juicy but have a nice, strong apple flavor.
• Crispin: Firm apple that isn't too tart.
• Pink Lady: Have a nice balance of sweet and tart and stay fairly firm when cooked.

How do you choose the best apples?

I am very picky about my apples. Pick it up. The apple should weigh heavier than you think it should. That indicates a juicy apple. Apples that are too light will tend to be dry and grainy.

This simple apple tart recipe will work well with any of the apples listed above, or a basic Granny Smith, Macintosh, or most other apple varieties.

How do you grate an apple?

Grating apples is fairly simple. You can use a food processor with the proper attachment, or just use a Stainless Steel Box Grater. I generally use the handheld version since it is much easier to clean.

When grating apples, leave the core intact and use it as a handle. So, just grab the apple, wash it, and run it firmly up and down the handheld grater. When you reach the core, turn the apple 90 degrees. Repeat until only the core remains. Should you peel the apple before grating? I don't usually, however, that is a personal choice. Both will work fine.

Grated Apple Tart Ingredients

The best apple desserts start with the best ingredients. That means real butter, freshly grated apples, and rich, vanilla ice cream on top. Don't skimp on ingredients for the sake of a few calories. Here are the ingredients for this shredded apple tart:

Ingredients:

powdered sugar for decoration

Crust:

• 1 cup flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons ice water
• ½ cup butter

Filling:

• 3 tablespoons apricot jam
• 1 tablespoon rum (or water)
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 tablespoon flour
• 3 cups coarsely grated peeled apple
• 1 ½ tablespoons cold butter, cut into small cubes

Tips for making homemade tarts

So, this easy apple tart recipe is made in a cookie sheet. If you don't make a lot of homemade tarts, there is really no reason to have special tart pans taking up space in your cabinet. A piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet works just as well. Press the tart crust down firmly and top with the apple tart filling.

Make sure your butter is COLD. This is one recipe you don't want to use softened butter for or the tart will be very messy to hand. Butter right out of the refrigerator works best for making tart crusts.

Once your apple tart is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool until just barely warm. If you try to remove it before it is cool, you will end up with grated apple tart CRUMBLE instead of slices. Which will taste good but won't be anywhere near as pretty to look at. Dust with powdered sugar right before serving.

Simple Grated Apple Tart Recipe

This simple grated apple tart recipe is loaded with apple flavor! Shredded apples flavored with cinnamon and sugar baked on top of a buttery tart crust. Simple to make and delicious served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.