Fall is just about upon us and the apples are abundant at the market. What a wonderful way to welcome into our homes the new season by making a classic French dessert – Apple Tarte Tatin!

I have always been fascinated by this recipe, tried it a multitude of different times and ways, and it was over the summer that I discovered what worked best for me – smaller apple slices and keeping it simple.

In this second season’s third episode, discover how to make a dish that will delight your tastebuds and be surprisingly easy to make. While there is some patience involved as you wait for the caramel sauce to arrive at its beautiful luscious amber color and consistency, overall, the construction of the dish is simple. I will offer a few tips and tricks for elevating the flavor and having a successful flip and reveal. As well, I will be cooking and using my beloved copper and showing and sharing why I love it and how to clean it.

And now to the episode! I do hope you enjoy.

How to Polish/Clean Copper

• Cat of Rabbit Hill Copper’s recommendation (mix up these three ingredients in approximate equal proportions, then use a cloth rag to clean the copper. Rinse with water):
  • vinegar
  • sea salt
  • lemon juice
• Bar Keeper’s Friend (liquid or powder) or Bar Keeper’s Helper (the classic and most trusted)

Links from the Episode:

• Posts mentioned: 
  • Butter Tasting and My Favorite French Butter
  • TSLL’s 4th Annual French Week, Round-Up
  • Mauviel Copper Tatin Dish
    • E.Dehillerin’s copper tatin dish (where I found mine with handles)
  • Hôtel Tatin
  • Pastry Cloth and Frame
  • What My Old Copper Tea Kettle Taught Me
    • all the details about retinning my copper tea kettle are shared.

~Cook & Share! I would love to share your Simply Luxurious Kitchen inspired experiences from your kitchen! Tag me on Instagram with @thesimplyluxuriouslife #tslkitchen and your post could appear on my Instagram feed. Many readers have already shared their meals inspired by recipes from TSLKitchen. Check out TSLL’s IG Story Highlights – titled, Viewers’ Recipes. And see the most recent shares since Season 1 wrapped up as viewers began to explore the recipes in their own kitchens.

Catch up on the first season of episodes here.

Check out previous episode from Season 2 of The Simply Luxurious Kitchen

Season 2 Premiere – Moules Marinière à la Crème

Season 2, Episode #2, My Friday Night Lemon Butter Shrimp Pasta

Apple Tart Tatin

Simply Luxurious

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings 3 people

Ingredients

  

Pastry

• 1 cup flour
• 1-2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled (rough chopped) the best quality you can find (the higher the butterfat count, the better the quality - try for 82-84%)
• pinch coarse sea salt
• 3-4 tablespoons cold water adjust with the humidity in your space

Caramel Sauce & Apples

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 lemon juice of one lemon
• 6-8 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
• 5-6 apples quartered, cored, peeled then cut into 1/8s

Topping (optional)

• 6 tablespoons crême fraîche optional - mascarpone cheese
• 1-2 tablespoons sugar

Instructions

 

Pastry

• Make the pastry first, as you will want to chill it while you make the filling. Combine the flour, sugar, salt and butter in a food processor. Combine until resembling cornmeal. Then gradually add the butter until it has combined but roughly so. Remove from the food processor, roll into a round disc, cover in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• While the apples are soaking in the caramel sauce on the stove (before they go into the oven), roll out the dough. Using a smidge of extra flour and sugar to spread underneath the dough so that it doesn't stick to the surface (I used a pastry sheet - see the Show Notes for links to one). Roll it out to one inch larger in diameter than the dish you will be using.
• After the apples have cooked for 20 minutes, remove them from the stove and place the dough on top, tucking in the sides with the handle-end of a spatula or wooden spoon. Cut a few steam holes in the top, and then place in the oven.

Caramel Sauce

• Using a stove-top and oven safe dish, or a classic Tatin dish (cast iron works well also), add the sugar, lemon and vanilla over medium heat until beautifully amber in color. Mix from time to time, but watch consistently for about 5-7 minutes.
• Add the butter gradually and melt into the caramel sauce, keeping the sauce warm so that the butter will melt. Once the butter has melted, bring the sauce back to medium heat for the apples.

Apples

• Quarter, core, peel and slice the apples into 1/8ths, or in a size you would prefer.
• Put the backside of the apples down or sideways into the caramel sauce that is on medium heat on the stove. It is entirely up to you how you place them in the sauce. Cook on the stove-top for 20 minutes over medium-high heat. Let the sauce bubble a bit - simmer as you are cooking the apples and softening as the sauce soaks into them.
• Using a baster from time to time (this is a trick I learned from Julia Child's cookbook) to layer the sauce over the tops of the apples that are not sitting into the sauce.
• After 20 minutes, remove from the heat and place the dough on top.
• Place in a 425 degree oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
• Remove from the oven and let sit for about 5-10 minutes to cool, but not harden.
• Place a serving dish or platter that is larger than the tatin dish on top of the tatin dish. Flip gently with two hands, but quickly.
• With hot pads, gently lift up one side of the tatin dish and let the steam release itself. Then remove the pan. To make sure any loose juices don't spill where they are not wanted, make sure you have placed your dish on top of an area that as space to receive any drips.

Crème Fraîche Mixture

• Mix 6 tablespoons of either Crème Fraîche or Mascarpone Cheese with 1-2 tablespoons of sugar. Mix to taste. Other options: Chantilly cream (mix 1 cup heavy cream with 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract until soft peaks form); vanilla gelato or ice cream.
• Add a dollop on each serving and enjoy with a hot cup of something you love. Enjoy!