In this twist on the classic French upside-down tart, pink pearl apples are stewed in a buttery apple brandy caramel and covered in a gluten-free flaky pastry for a dessert that punches you in the face with apple flavor (in a good way).
Today is a festive occasion in Bojon history for several reasons; let’s celebrate with a fancy French apple tart!
1) Bojon has a new look! Thanks to the amazingly talented Jaime and Sarah for making this space so lovely. Have a look around and let me know what you think. I’m particularly excited about the new recipe index, complete with pretty pictures. Now you can easily find embarrassing old posts all in one handy place.
2) Today is the 6th blogiversary of The Bojon Gourmet! To date, there are over 430 recipes in these here archives, 5 million page views, and nearly 7,000 comments! I’m so grateful for the ongoing support from all of my readers over the years. Many thanks to each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart.
3) I’m two weeks away from handing in my cookbook manuscript. Stay tuned!
This day calls for a fancy dessert, and even though tarte tatin originated as French peasant food, it’s still French. So it counts. Tarte tatin is one of those genius recipes that seems basic at first; but then you slip a bite of unadulterated appley goodness in your mouth, the skies part, angels sing, and you think, “God. The French are brilliant.”
The story behind this tart is that one day the Tatin sisters, who owned a small hotel in the Sologne region of France, were making an apple tart. Mademoiselle Stephanie forgot to put the bottom crust in the pan but, ever resourceful/harried (depending on the source), decided to cover them with a top crust and proceed with the recipe rather than starting over. Diners went wild. Delicious history was made.
This story may or may not be true but hey, it’s cute.
With tarte tatin, apples are cooked in butter and sugar until lightly caramelized, then topped with a round of flaky pie pastry. After a stint in the oven, the tart is turned out in all is gooey glory. Bronzed apples condense into intensely flavored, silky chunks perched atop shatteringly crisp crust that flakes everywhere. The resulting sweet is greater than the sum of its parts, with knock-out apple flavor smoothed with copious amounts of butter and just the right measure of sugar, and a spot-on fruit-to-crust ratio. Warm from the oven and topped with a scoop of ice cream, tarte tatin pretty much kicks apple pie’s cul.
I found some pretty pink pearls at our co-op which make for an extra-colorful tart, and their puckery flavor plays off the sweet caramel in a way that I find completely addictive (though Granny Smith and other tart baking apple varieties work equally well). I add a splash of Calvados, a slightly funky apple brandy that hails from Normandy, to the cooking apples. This serves two purposes: 1) the brandy helps the sugar dissolve into the butter and adds a bit of complexity, upping the apple ante. 2) Every hardworking baker deserves a little day-tipple, amiright?
My gluten-free all-butter pie dough works beautifully in this tarte tatin. I find it more crisp and flavorful than most wheat pie doughs due to the earthy flours it uses: millet, oat, and ground chia seed. Cornstarch makes it magically crisp, tapioca and sweet rice make it easy to handle, and it stands up well to the juicy apples even after a day or two (should you be so lucky to make it last that long). Buttermilk keeps the dough extra tender. However, do feel free to use any flaky pie pastry or puff pastry you like; my preferred wheaty version adds spelt flour for flavor, and this homemade whole wheat puff pastry would also be superb.
I can never choose between topping warm slices with vanilla ice cream or the more traditional crème fraîche, so I split the difference and went with a spot of homemade crème fraîche ice cream – a pleasantly tangy foil for the tart. These wedges made for a heavenly afternoon snack that ended up being lunch (sorrynotsorry).
Thanks so much for celebrating with me today! Let me know what you think of the new digs. And apologies if I’m a bit quiet these days as I write write write; I do read and appreciate each and every comment!
Pink Pearl Apple + Calvados Tarte Tatin {gluten-free}
Print Recipe / Pin RecipeIngredients
- 1 recipe Gluten-Free Pie Dough (preferably the buttermilk variation prepared for maximum flake), chilled
- oat flour, for rolling the dough
- ½ a lemon
- 2 ¼ pounds (1 kg) pink pearl apples or other tart, firm baking apples such as Granny Smith (8 medium-small apples)
- 4 tablespoons (55 g) unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ cup (60 ml) GF Calvados (or brandy or whiskey)
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons (125 g) organic granulated sugar, divided use
- vanilla or crème fraiche ice cream, for serving
Instructions
- Have a 10-inch (25 cm) oven-proof skillet at the ready.
- Place the chilled dough on a sheet of parchment paper lightly dusted with oat flour, letting it soften for 5 minutes if it’s too firm to roll out. Roll the dough out into an 11-inch (28 cm) round, dusting the dough as you work. If it begins to stick to the parchment, top it with a second piece of parchment, grasp the whole thing and bravely flip it over. Peel away the top piece of parchment and continue rolling. If the dough tears or cracks, just squish it back together. The dough round will be about ¼” thick or a little shorter. Invert the pan over the dough round and cut the dough ¼” wider than the pan. Slip the dough round, parchment and all, onto a baking sheet and chill until firm while you prepare the apples. (The dough can be covered and stored for up to 1 day.)
- Meanwhile, fill a medium bowl with cool water and add the lemon juice and the lemon. Peel the apples, quarter, and cut out the cores and stems, dropping the quarters into the acidulated water as you work.
- Melt the butter and salt in the skillet over a medium flame. Add the ½ cup of sugar to the butter and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar begins to melt and take on some color, about 2 minutes. Swirl in the calvados and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the mixture bubbles thickly, 3-5 minutes. It will be beige in color, but don’t worry, it will caramelize later.
- Remove the pan from the heat. Drain the apples well. Carefully place the apples with a cut side down in concentric circles, beginning with the outside, with the fat ends facing out. Really pack them in; they will lose volume as they cook so we want as many as possible in there. It’s ok if they don’t all quite fit in a single layer; they can be nestled in as they simmer. Sprinkle the apples with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar.
- Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400ºF (205ºC).
- Return the pan to a medium flame and simmer until the juices bubble up thickly around the apples and look slightly golden, 20-25 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat again. Remove the dough round from the refrigerator, place a large cutting board on top, flip the whole thing over, and remove the parchment paper. Use the board to slide the dough round atop the apples and carefully tuck the edges down around the apples, being careful not to burn yourself on the hot pan and using a spoon to tuck the dough in if needed. This will form a lip when the tart is inverted and prevent the juices from gushing everywhere.
- Place the pan in the oven and bake until the pastry is deeply golden all over, 20-30 minutes. Let cool 1 minute, then use a thin knife or small, offset spatula to loosen the edges of the tart dough and apples. Place a large platter or cutting board over the tart and, wearing oven mitts, grasp it all with your hands and flip the whole thing over. Remove the pan. If apples have stuck to the pan, use a knife or offset spatula to spackle them back onto the tart.
- Cut the tart into wedges and serve warm with vanilla or crème fraiche ice cream. The tart is best the day of baking and will keep at room temperature for 1 day. Leftovers can be refrigerated airtight for up to several days; reheat before serving for best results.
Notes
happy 6th blogiversary! super big day for bojon gourmet! i bet you’re looking forward to getting past that manuscript deadline. sending you all the calming productive vibes (do those exist?). <3
p.s. sarah is a ninja badass and i'm diggin' the digs. ;)
Dude, Sarah is superwoman. Thank you so much for the amazing work, friend! I love it! I need all the calming productive vibes, sure hope they exist for the sake of my sanity. xoxoxoxoxo!
1. The new look is incredibly pretty!
2. Happy birthday bojon gourmet!
3. I can’t wait to see your book :D
4. Those apples seems so delicious *____*
xo
Ah, mille grazie bellissima, on all counts :)
Nice one Alanna! Indeed a very classic French dessert. My mum used to do it all the time and directly in a cake pan. I need to do it again and your update is quite nice with the Calvados! Pears are a good alternative and you could use Poiré instead of Calvados too!! As for the history behind the tart, they are so many versions…really funny to read actually even on French websites…Congrats on your achievements, your future book and new recipe index. Have a nice day Sandrine x
Lucky you, Sandrine! I wish my mom made fancy desserts. Ah well! Love the thought of pears and poire here – yessss!
My Mum and Grandma (her mother) were great cooks. I learnt a lot from them and still call her today when I need a tip! Give it a try and let me know. xx
ahhh, so much cool stuff happening in tbg land!! the blushing apples are so gorgeous, and might i say that i am v excited about the cookbook? not to mention, happy blogiversary! 6 years is such a great milestone (:
Awww thank you Heather! <3
Absolutely gorgeous and so inspiring!
Thanks Tori!
Congratulations x 3! I loove the new blog look. It’s so fresh and lovely! And congrats on your BlogBirthday. I have so enjoyed reading and baking so many of your delicious treats! Keep plugging along…that deadline is in sight!
I can already taste this deliciousness. I love that pastry and remember telling you how much I thought it reminded me of a lovely puff pastry, so I am certain it is the perfect match for a tarte tatin!
Cheers,
Maureen
Thank you so much for the kind words, Maureen, and for testing recipes for the book – you’re a hero!!
Happy aniversary Alanna!
How much work you have done… I also run a food blog and I perfectly know what it means for us, in terms of time and effort, but also of passion! You are an inspiration, your pictures are amazing and your gluten free récipes are an example to follow for everyone who likes to cook and to give a healthy dish to their love ones.
A BIG BIG hug from ARGENTINA!!
Marisa
Aw, thank you so much Marisa!!
Happy blog birthday, Alanna! You’re so inspiring.
Aw! Thanks Windy, and back atcha. (Did you see your girl’s cameo in this post?!)
Happy 6th anniversary!!! I love your new look, and this dessert is so pretty and perfect for apple season! I hope to actually get out and go apple-picking this year, and your pretty tart would be gorgeous to serve for Thanksgiving. Such a big happy time for you Alanna, it’s so lovely to see! xo
Thank you, Christine!! This would be really nice for Thanksgiving, and I’ll be envious of your apple picking – fun!
Congratulations on so many fronts. Can’t wait to try this recipe — our orchards are overflowing with apples (and pears) and I’m always looking for simple recipes to use them up.
Um, jealous! ;) Thanks so much, Kelly!
Happy 6th anniversary Alanna! This tart is glorious! <3
Thanks, Laura!
OH MY GOSH YOUR NEW DESIGN IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!! It’s so gorgeous, love love love!!! Like seriously freaking out. Also, WHAT a post to celebrate your sixth blogiversary–this is want-to-make-instantly status. So happy apples are coming back into season so I can make this sooooon!!! Gorgeous woman!
Awwwww, thank you, Erika!! I still get all choked up about when I see it anew after a few hours. Eeeee! Those ladies did such an amazing job. I hope you love the tart, which I’m sure you will since you’re the master of the finicky GF pie dough. ;)
So pink! Heritage apples varieties are such a treat. And I think the new design looks great — nice and minimal and classic. Yay!
Aw, thank you Eileen! That’s exactly what we were going for, whoop!
Happy birthday BG!! That is one sassy looking tart :)
Haha, thanks Gerry! Sassy tarts are the specialty around here. ;)
Happy blogging birthday Alanna! The new digs are gorgeous. They make me think of a fancy bakery that makes awesome brunch food.
I cannot wait to try this beautiful tarte tatin too! I can’t wait until your cookbook is resting on my bookshelf (or more likely open on my kitchen counter with butter smears on it from use!)
Aw, I love it – thanks, Amy! I will be ecstatic beyond belief if my book ends up smeared with butter in your kitchen. <3
The new site is gorgeous, and this post is GORGEOUS. Gasp, these photos!! Completely lovely!
Awww, thanks Becky!!
Look at those pretty pink jewels! And congrats on year 6 and the book, you talented rockstar woman! xo
Thanks lovely lady!!! <3
Happy 6th Birthday Bojon Gourmet!!! :-) Alanna, you are one of my favorite food photographers/bloggers and a big inspiration ever since I became obsessed with this wonderful world of food photography 2 years ago and I can’t wait for your book to come out! P.S. Apple desserts are my favorite and this tarte looks beautiful and delicious!
Aw, thank you so much for the sweet words, Lili!! I super appreciate your kind support!
Congratulations Alanna! 6 years is insanely impressive, and your new site is absolutely gorgeous (can’t wait to browse that recipe index!). So exciting about your cookbook as well – you are seriously an inspiration! <3
Aw! Thanks so much for the sweet words, Claudia. <3
Looove the new site Alanna – so clean and sophisticated. And happy blog birthday too honey, what a delicious looking tarte to celebrate with xx
Thank you soooooo much Dearna. I’m pleased as punch. <3 <3 <3
Congratulations! So much to celebrate. Delighted for you on all accounts and what a way to celebrate :)
Thanks so much Kimberly!
Happy 6 years, dear Alanna!! Lots to celebrate indeed! I am loving the site redesign – looks fantastic. And what an absolutely gorgeous tarte. Stunning. xo.
Thank you so much, Tessa! xoxo
Congratulations on your blog turning 6! and love the new look and of course the Tarte Tatin. Gorgeous! <3
Thanks so much, Rakhee!
Félicitations Alanna! I j’adore your new site and especially love the marbling effect in your logo. Synchronicity is a beautiful thing and I always find that happens when I click on one of your stunning posts – I just picked up some tart apples from the farmer’s market! I had not yet decided on what I was going to do with them, but now it is clear, I will be making this tarte tatin this weekend in our new home. That’s right, we just signed the papers this morning and will be moving in tomorrow! I can’t wait to get back to all of my dishes and set up my new kitchen. And I think I will definitely be adding the liquor to my version as well. ;)
Bonne Journée!
Oh thank you Karen! I adore Jaime’s work on the logo. Are you going to veganize the tarte tatin?! Please let me know if you do! Many congratulations on your new home – so exciting!!
Hi Alanna,
So sorry for the delayed response. I’m sad to report I have not had a chance to make your tarte tatin – too many house projects!!! – but I hope to this week. If I veganize it, I will definitely share the recipe with you.
And thank you, I’m am finally starting to feel settled into our home – especially now that I have my Wolf stove. ;)
+K
I LOVE, love, love the new look. And happy blog anniversary! This tarte tatin is so gorgeous!
Yay!! Thank you so much Cindy! xo
Congrats on the lovely new look! (And yay, I think my comment actually went through for once ;)). This tarte tatin is lovely, I have a special fondness for pink pearl apples!
So many incredible things in one post! First, love the new sleek look! Congratulations on the blogiversary and the pending cookbook! No better way to celebrate then with an incredible fall recipe! Beautiful photos, as always :)
What a gorgeous tart! Love the pink pearl apples, those are one of my favorite varieties :) This looks like a perfect use for them!
Oh my gosh, where to start?! The new site is so beautiful, so dreamy and light and elegant, and this tarte tatin is every bit the match for it — I can never get over that gorgeous blush color, or your amazing step photos. And YAY for your blogiversary and for closing in on the cookbook finish line!!! Hurray for all of this, a million times over!
I found your blog months ago through Emma Morris. I’ve so far made 6 of your recipes and all have been hits! Love your recipe directions + photography is beautiful. Hate for the tomato season to end as your gazpacho has been a staple in the house. As is the basil Pimm’s Cup while plums and basil are still around! Congratulations on 6 years and look forward to getting your cookbook in my hands!
Congrats on the anniversary and this post is just gorgeous (as usual)! Love that the new site loads so quick!!
Omgness this is soooo gorgeous! And I love that beautiful floral look with the sliced fruit in the pan, hehe.
Alanna, I LOVE the clean look of the new site, especially the muted gray tones of the site. Hooray for 6 years on the blog! I can’t believe how many beautiful recipes you’ve created already! I was just thinking about you finishing your manuscript the other day, and I hope you’re managing to get some rest during this time!
This tarte tatin looks beautiful!
Indeed. Many many reasons to celebrate.
Congratulations Alana! You need to make sure to serve some champagne with that gorgeous tart-tatin!
Sending lots of hugs to your way.. Cheers!
Your website looks stunning, Alanna…stunning! Happy anniversary as well!! That’s insane that you have 6 years of recipes here for all of our tummies. Lucky us ;)
Oh, and stop-it with how beautiful this tarte tatin is. Crazy…
Cannot WAIT for the book, btw.
Beautiful! Both the website and this tarte! I have never seen pink apples before, so cute!
I’ve been following your blog for months now and this is the first recipe I’ve attempted– amazing! I’ll definitely be plowing through your archives over the next several months :) Even with all the questionable substitutions I made, this turned out beautiful and delicious. For others who might not have the exact ingredients on hand, here are the substitutions I made and their results:
–Honeycrisp apples instead of pink pearls
–Bulleit bourbon instead of Calvados
–Almond flour instead of millet flour
–Ground flax instead of ground chia
The filling was divine and I would imagine not much altered from the original recipe. The crust substitutions resulted in a crust more on the chewy, homely side but still quite tasty. IF you do sub flax for chia : I would advise adding less water in the initial water/cider mix, as the dough was a little on the wet side from the start. Happy tinkering!
That’s one beautiful tarte! I really like the new look of your site! So fresh and so clean! I can’t wait for your cookbook, I can only imagine how excited you must be! xO
So many great things to celebrate!! This recipes looks amazing. 2015 might be the year I try to make a tarte tatin. Hope it’s as pretty as yours!!
It looks so good but unfortunately mine instantly crumbled when I flipped it over. The dough (I used the buttermilk variation) instantly broke up and turned into powder. I even weighed all the ingredients so I have no idea where I went wrong. It still tasted good though.
That’s so weird – I’ve never had that happen before! Did you use sweet rice flour as opposed to regular rice flour? It’s a lot stickier and helps the dough hold together well.