Hi Bold Bakers! WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: This Irish Apple Tart captures the essence of fall with its easy yet impressive flavor and texture. The sweet-tart apples contrast beautifully with a buttery, flaky crust, creating a soul-comforting dessert. Already have an account?
Effortless Preparation: A simple recipe with 4 ingredients in 30 minutes. Deliciously Pure: Showcases the natural flavor of fresh fruits. Seasonal Delight: A comforting tart ideal for fall gatherings.
Being Irish, I am proud of how this apple tart reflects our love for simple, delicious food. We value straightforward recipes that let the ingredients shine, and this tart does just that, creating a heartwarming dessert for autumn or any time of the year.
Bold Bakers Loved This!
“The crust was perfectly flaky, and the apples were tender and sweet. It’s the perfect fall dessert that my whole family enjoyed. Thank you, Gemma, for such a wonderful recipe!” -Chloe “This Irish Apple Tart is everything I was hoping for and more. The recipe was straightforward, and the tart turned out beautifully!” – Alex “I tried this Irish Apple Tart for a family dinner, and it was a huge hit!” – Tiff IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 9/12/2024, to include a NEW STEP-BY-STEP tutorial video, explanations and substitutes of key ingredients, make-ahead & storage instructions, answers to the most frequently asked questions, and Pro Chef Tips.
Table of Content
What is a Classic Irish Apple Tart?
A classic Irish recipe featuring apples in a pie crust.
Simple Ingredients: Made with sweet and tartapples and a buttery, flaky crust. Pure Flavor: Emphasizes the natural taste of apples without additional spices. There’s no cinnamon, no nutmeg, no cloves. Straightforward Preparation: Easy to make, reflecting Irish baking traditions with minimal fuss.
Tools You Need
9-inch (23cm) pie dish Knife Mixing bowls Measuring cups Measuring jug Rolling pin Pastry brush Foil
Key Ingredients and Substitutes
Pie Crust Function: All-purpose flour pie crust forms the base and top of the tart, creating a flaky, buttery texture. Substitutes: Store-bought pie crust or a homemade dough made with cold butter, such as Buttermilk Pie Crust, Sour Cream Pie Curst, or Ballymaloe Creamed Butter Pastry. For a gluten-free option, use our gluten-free pie crust. Apple Pie Filling Apples Function: Apples provide the main flavor and texture; typically, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Bramley apples are used. Substitutes: Any firm, tart apples will work well. Granulated sugar Function: Sweetens the apples and enhances their natural flavor. Substitutes: Brown sugar or coconut sugar can be used for a different flavor profile. For a sugar-free option, use a sugar substitute like stevia or erythritol. Egg Wash Function: Provides a golden, glossy finish to the crust. Substitutes: Milk or cream can be used for a similar effect.
How to Make Irish Apple Tart
Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips For Making Irish Apple Tart
Use my homemade pie crust, but good quality store-bought works just as well. Granny Smith apples are perfect in this tart, but you can use any other apple that you prefer, like Bramley in Ireland. Just know that they all bake up differently. Some will keep their shape while others will get very soft, and a nice tangy apple will give this tart the best flavor. American apple pies use almost twice as many apples and also usually include thickeners. Don’t be tempted to add more apples to this tart – the balance of apples to crust is just right, and more apples will create more liquid and possibly a soggy bottom crust. This tart will benefit from large vent holes on top to allow the liquid released from the apples to evaporate. Instead of using a knife to cut vent holes, you can use a small cookie cutter to cut out fun shapes from the top pastry before placing it on top of the apples. Serve this apple tart at room temperature with fresh homemade whipped cream or warm with some vanilla ice cream!
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
Make-Ahead:
You can prepare the tart a day in advance. Assemble and bake it as directed, then let it cool completely before storing. For optimal freshness, cover it loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and keep it at room temperature.
Storage:
Room temperature: Store leftover apple tart, loosely covered, at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you need to keep it for longer, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, place the tart in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
What’s the Best Type of Apple for Tart Recipes?
Besides Granny Smith apples, Bramley apples will be your go-to cooking apples in Ireland or the UK. They are very sour to eat raw but are one of the best apples working beautifully in baking. Any firm tart apple such as Jonagold, or Braeburn can be used. For a sweeter option, try Honeycrisp,, golden delicious apples, Fuji or Gala apples.
How do I know when the tart is done baking?
The tart is ready when the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender. You can test the apples by inserting a fork or knife to ensure they are soft.
How can I prevent the tart from getting soggy?
Ensure the apples are well-drained before adding them to the crust. Additionally, you can put the tart dish on a preheated baking tray during baking, or blind-bake the bottom crust for a few minutes to create a barrier against moisture.
Can I freeze the Irish apple tart?
Yes, you can freeze the baked tart. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
What should I serve with the tart?
The tart is delicious on its own or served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or a drizzle of custard or caramel sauce.
Make More Irish Recipes!
Irish Soda Bread Irish Potato Farls Irish Apple Cake Chocolate Guinness Cake Irish Apple Crumble Irish Brandy Butter Barmbrack Waterford Blaas (Irish Rolls)
And don’t forget to buy my Bigger Bolder Baking Cookbook! IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 9/12/2024, to include a NEW STEP-BY-STEP tutorial video, explanations and substitutes of key ingredients, make-ahead & storage instructions, answers to the most frequently asked questions, and Pro Chef Tips.
