Tarte Fine aux Pommes (Rustic Apple Tart)
A delicate French classic made with buttery sourdough pastry, paper-thin apple slices, and a golden, caramelized finish.
At a Glance
Loaf Style: French tart
Skill Level: Intermediate
Total Time: ~3 hours
Prep Time: ~25 minutes
Yield: One 10-inch tart (serves 6–8)
Hydration: N/A
Bake Temp: 400°F / 200°C
Baking Vessel: Sheet pan or tart pan, lined with parchment
Ingredients
For the Sourdough Pastry
125g all-purpose flour
½ tsp fine sea salt
100g unsalted butter, cold and cubed
60g sourdough discard (unfed)
2–3 tbsp ice water
For the Topping
2 large crisp apples (e.g. Pink Lady or Honeycrisp), peeled and thinly sliced
20g sugar
15g unsalted butter, melted
Optional: pinch of cinnamon
For Finishing
2 tbsp apricot jam (or apple jelly), warmed
Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
Make the Dough
1. In a bowl, mix flour and salt. Cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Add sourdough discard and ice water. Mix just until a dough forms.
3. Shape into a disk, wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
Assemble the Tart
4. Preheat oven to 400°F / 200°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
5. Roll the dough into a thin 10–12 inch circle or oval on a lightly floured surface.
6. Transfer to the lined tray. Arrange apple slices in overlapping concentric circles, leaving a small border.
7. Brush apples with melted butter, sprinkle with sugar (and cinnamon, if using).
Bake
8. Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the crust is golden and the apples are soft with lightly browned edges.
9. While still warm, brush the apples with warmed apricot jam to create a glossy finish.
Cool and Serve
10. Let cool slightly before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar if desired and serve warm or at room temp.
Visual Cues
Crust should be crisp and golden around the edges.
Apples should be tender, thin, and caramelized at the tips.
Glaze should add shine without pooling.
Why This Works
The sourdough discard in the pastry enhances its flakiness while providing a subtle tang that balances the sweetness of the fruit. Minimal ingredients let the apples take center stage, creating a refined yet rustic dessert.
