Food Recipe

Rustic Apple Tart with Rich Cream Cheese Crust

There’s a certain magic that happens when the crisp autumn air starts to bite, and the scent of baking apples fills the kitchen. For me, it always conjures up memories of my grandmother’s kitchen, a place where flour dust was a permanent fixture and the aroma of comfort was always in the air. She had this unassuming, well-worn cookbook, a true treasure trove of simple, honest recipes, and this Rustic Apple Tart was one of its shining stars. The cream cheese crust, unlike anything I’d encountered before, was a revelation – tender, rich, and wonderfully forgiving to shape. It’s the kind of dessert that feels both elegant and profoundly comforting, perfect for sharing with loved ones on a chilly evening.

Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling time)
Servings: 6-8
Yield: 1 large tart or 4 small tarts
Dietary Type: Vegetarian

Ingredients

For the Filling:

2 large, tart apples (such as Granny Smith), peeled, halved, and cored
2 tablespoons strained fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Rich Cream Cheese Tart Dough:

4 ounces chilled cream cheese, cut into 6 pieces
1/2 cup chilled unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour, plus extra unbleached all-purpose flour for shaping
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt

For Finishing (Optional):

1 large egg yolk, lightly beaten (for brushing the rim of the crust)
Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Vanilla Whipped Cream (recipe below), for serving

Vanilla Whipped Cream (Optional):

1 1/2 cups heavy cream, chilled
3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Equipment Needed

Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Food processor
Paring knife
Large mixing bowl
Measuring cups and spoons
Pastry brush
Electric mixer (for whipped cream, if using)
Cooling rack

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This step is crucial for preventing sticking and ensuring easy cleanup.

To Make the Rich Cream Cheese Tart Dough:

In the bowl of a food processor, combine the chilled cream cheese (cut into pieces), chilled unsalted butter (cut into pieces), 1 cup of unbleached all-purpose flour, salt, and 1/2 cup of sugar.
Process the ingredients until the dough just starts to come together. It’s important not to over-process; you want a dough that is still a bit shaggy but will hold together when squeezed. The dough will be sticky at this stage, which is perfectly normal.
Sprinkle the prepared parchment paper on the baking sheet with a little all-purpose flour.
Turn the sticky dough out onto the floured parchment paper.
With floured hands, press the dough into a rough 10-inch circle for one large tart, or into four 5-inch circles for individual tarts. Don’t worry about perfect symmetry; the rustic charm is part of its appeal.
Gently roll about a 1/2 inch of the edge of the circle(s) inward to create a lip. This raised edge will help catch the apple juices as the tart bakes, preventing them from running onto the baking sheet.
Refrigerate the shaped crust on the baking sheet for at least 1 hour. Alternatively, you can wrap the baking sheet tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. This chilling time is vital for the dough to firm up, making it easier to handle and ensuring a tender, flaky crust.

To Make the Filling:

While the dough is chilling, prepare the apples. Peel the tart apples and cut them in half lengthwise.
Using a paring knife, carefully remove the cores from each apple half.
Starting from the blossom end and cutting towards the stem end, slice each apple half into 1/4-inch thick slices. Aim for consistent thickness for even cooking.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples with the strained fresh lemon juice, 1/4 cup of sugar, and the ground cinnamon.
Stir gently to coat the apple slices evenly.
Let the apples stand for about 15 minutes to allow the sugar to dissolve and the flavors to meld, stirring once or twice during this time. The lemon juice not only adds a bright counterpoint to the sweetness but also helps prevent the apples from browning.

Assembling and Baking the Tart:

Once the dough has chilled for at least 1 hour, remove the baking sheet from the refrigerator.
Arrange the apple slices on the chilled dough. For a large tart, arrange them in two concentric circles, overlapping the apple slices slightly, starting from the outer edge and working inward. For individual tarts, arrange the slices in a single overlapping circle. The overlapping creates a beautiful, textured pattern as the apples bake.
Using a pastry brush, brush the rim of the crust with the lightly beaten egg yolk. This will give the crust a lovely golden sheen and added richness.
Sprinkle the arranged apple slices evenly with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar.
Place the baking sheet with the tart(s) into the preheated 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) oven.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the apple slices are tender and slightly caramelized. Keep an eye on it; ovens can vary.

To Make Vanilla Whipped Cream (Optional):

In a large mixing bowl, combine the chilled heavy cream, confectioners’ sugar, and pure vanilla extract.
Using an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the cream on high speed until it just holds stiff peaks. Be careful not to over-whip, as this can result in a grainy texture.
Use immediately, or cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface of the cream to prevent a skin from forming, and refrigerate for up to 6 hours. If refrigerating, give it a quick whisk for a couple of seconds before serving to restore its smooth texture.

Expert Tips & Tricks

The Cream Cheese Dough: This dough is forgiving, but it’s important to work with cold ingredients. The cream cheese and butter should be well-chilled and cut into pieces. This helps create those lovely flaky layers in the crust. If your kitchen is particularly warm, you might need to pop the dough back into the refrigerator for a few minutes if it becomes too soft to handle.
Apple Selection: While Granny Smith apples are a classic choice for their tartness and firm texture, feel free to experiment with a mix of apples. A combination of tart and sweet apples, like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala, can add complexity to the flavor profile. Just ensure they are firm enough to hold their shape during baking.
Make-Ahead Magic: The beauty of this tart lies in its make-ahead potential. The cream cheese dough can be made and shaped up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated. It can even be frozen for up to 2 months. Simply bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if needed. The vanilla whipped cream can also be made up to 6 hours ahead.
For a Crowd: If you’re hosting a gathering and have eight or fewer guests, doubling the recipe to make eight individual tarts is a delightful option. Each guest gets their own personal masterpiece.

Serving & Storage Suggestions

This Rustic Apple Tart is truly best enjoyed on the day it is made, when the crust is at its most tender and the apples are perfectly warm and fragrant. Serve it warm or at room temperature. A scoop of vanilla ice cream melting alongside a slice is pure bliss, or a dollop of the homemade vanilla whipped cream adds a cloud-like lightness.

If you happen to have any leftovers, they can be stored loosely covered at room temperature for up to a day, provided your kitchen is not too warm. For longer storage, wrap the tart tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, gently warm individual slices in a low oven (around 300°F or 150°C) for a few minutes until warmed through.

Nutritional Information

(Please note: This is an estimated nutritional breakdown and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes used.)

Nutrient	Amount per Serving (approximate)	% Daily Value (approximate)
Calories	420	21%
Total Fat	24g	31%
Saturated Fat	15g	75%
Cholesterol	100mg	33%
Sodium	200mg	9%
Total Carbohydrate	48g	17%
Dietary Fiber	3g	11%
Sugars	28g	56%
Protein	5g	10%

Variations & Substitutions

Spiced Up: Add a pinch of ground nutmeg, ground ginger, or allspice to the apple filling for an extra layer of warming spice.
Nutty Addition: For added texture and flavor, scatter a handful of chopped toasted pecans or walnuts over the apples before baking.
Gluten-Free: While this recipe relies on traditional flour, you could experiment with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the crust. You may need to adjust the liquid content slightly, as gluten-free flours can absorb moisture differently.
Dairy-Free: Creating a dairy-free version of this tart would require significant adaptation, particularly for the cream cheese crust. Using dairy-free cream cheese alternatives and butter substitutes would be necessary, and the texture might vary.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Why is the dough sticky?
A: The cream cheese and butter in the dough create a wonderfully rich and tender crust, but they also contribute to its stickiness. Using floured hands and working quickly helps manage this.

Q: Can I use pre-made pie crust?
A: While you could use a store-bought crust, the cream cheese dough is truly what makes this tart special and is worth the effort. If you are short on time, consider making the dough and chilling it a day in advance.

Q: What kind of apples are best for this tart?
A: Tart, firm apples like Granny Smith are ideal as they hold their shape well during baking and provide a lovely balance to the sweetness of the crust and sugar.

Q: How do I know if the tart is done baking?
A: The tart is ready when the crust is deeply golden brown and the apple slices appear tender and slightly caramelized, with juices bubbling gently around the edges.

Q: Can I add other fruits to the tart?
A: Absolutely! While apples are traditional, you could also incorporate pears or a mix of apples and berries for a different flavor profile.

Final Thoughts

There’s a profound satisfaction in creating something both beautiful and delicious from simple ingredients. This Rustic Apple Tart, with its unique cream cheese crust and warmly spiced apples, is a testament to that. It’s a dessert that speaks of home, of comfort, and of the joy of sharing good food. I encourage you to gather your ingredients, embrace the rustic nature of the dough, and let the sweet aroma fill your kitchen. Serve it with a generous scoop of ice cream or a cloud of whipped cream, and savor every delicious bite. I’d love to hear how yours turns out!

Rustic Apple Tart With Rich Cream Cheese Crust Recipe