Easiest Ever Rustic Apple Tart

I will probably be away until the first of next week, and this post will be brief (just like this recipe!)  A friend of mine is giving her daughter an Alice in Wonderland themed birthday party this weekend, and she has asked me to bake for the occasion.  I love all things Alice, and I’m thrilled to be asked.  I just hope I can come up with something cute before Saturday.  I have lots of ideas, but not enough time for them all!

Being short on time made me think of this recipe.  It is really easy and so delicious.  And even though it is rustic, it is still a very beautiful dessert.

If you’re pie-crust-phobic, or just really short on time then you can use a ready made refrigerated pie crust. The rolled kind that comes in a box works best for me.  I have included a scratch-made pie crust recipe on the Key Ingredient card for those who are purists and would like homemade.

The apples I have on hand are from last Fall.  My mother was given a basket and she chopped them and froze them for convenient use.  I’m so glad she passed some along to me!  Fresh apples are ideal of course, but these were very good! The filling could not be more simple.  You’ll toss the apples in a little cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg – that’s it!

The recipe calls for an 8″ skillet, but I found two little 4″ skillets at a local vintage market.   I just love them!  After lining your cast iron skillet with pie crust, pile the apples in.  Make sure to pile them high in the middle.  Dot the apples with butter pats, and brush the crust with melted butter.  Sprinkle sugar all over the crust and apples.  I prefer to use large crystal sugars like white Hawaiian Cane or Turbinado.  When the sugar melts under the heat, the most divine crunchy crust is created – so don’t leave this step out!

How can something so simple be so delicious?

Crunchy sugary goodness…mm-mmm.

Easiest Ever Rustic Apple Tart

Heather Baird
Use a store-bought pie crust in place of the homemade recipe to shortcut this recipe.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Equipment

  • Easiest Ever Rustic Apple Tart

Ingredients
 
 

For the crust

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for the work surface
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 14 tablespoons unsalted butter chilled and cut into small pieces
  • 3-4 tbsp. cold water

Apple filling

  • 3-4 apples roughly chopped
  • 6 tbsp. sugar
  • 1 tbsp. corn starch
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • ½ tsp. nutmeg
  • ½ stick of butter cut into cubes
  • 2 tbsp. melted butter for brushing crust
  • 8 ” or 9″ cast iron skillet

Instructions
 

For the crust

  • Heat oven to 400° F.
  • In a food processor, combine the flour, salt, and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and pulse until the dough comes together but is still slightly crumbly (you should use 3 to 4 tablespoons total). Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic, and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
  • On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 12-14 inch circle. Place it in a an 8 or 9 inch cast-iron skillet, allowing the dough to hang over the edge.

Apple filling/assembly

  • In a bowl, combine apples, sugar, cornstarch and spices. Mix until apples are thoroughly coated. Fill the pie crust with the apple mixture, piling it high in the middle. Gently fold the dough edges in towards the center. Dot apples with butter pats and brush the crust with melted butter. Sprinkle sugar over apples and crust. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until crust is brown and sugar has melted.
  • Serve warm.

Notes

You may use one disc of store-bought ready made pie crust
Sugar for sprinkling (preferably Turbinado or large crystal variety)
Keyword all butter pie crust, cast iron skillet, turbinado sugar
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Until then, I’ll be down the Rabbit Hole!

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taylor
taylor
13 years ago

that looks so yummy! sometimes the simplest desserts really are the best. can't wait to see your alice creations!

a little bit of everything
a little bit of everything
13 years ago

The apple tart looks delicious. Add some vanilla ice and yum!

Lisa
Lisa
13 years ago

These look great and just what I need in Autumn with the huge box of apples that I have sitting in my kitchen. Thanks Heather 🙂

Gala
Gala
13 years ago

I love those mini skillets!
Can't wait to see those cookies!

April
April
13 years ago

I love anything mini and love these little skillets!! Can't wait to see what you come up with for the party!

cookies and cups
cookies and cups
13 years ago

can't wait to see that cookie!
This tart look so great!

Sue
Sue
13 years ago

These little apple tarts look delicious, and I LOVE the mini skillets! I look forward to seeing your "Alice" creations!!!

Cara
Cara
13 years ago

I love the use of the little skillets here – I have some and I hop on any excuse to use them, they truly make any meal more beautiful and fun!

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

how dainty and delicious-looking! always liked the homey feel of rustic pies, as well as anything served in mini cast iron skillets. great photos, too. look forward to stopping by more often.

cheers,

*heather*

Maria
Maria
13 years ago

Love your photos! What a fantastic dessert!

Cristie
Cristie
13 years ago

Everything about this is wonderful. Your skillets are perfect. I'm going to try one in an 8 inch skillet. Just darling!

Maggie
Maggie
13 years ago

DIdn't they have tarts at the tea party? You could use some of these for some of the food for the party!

Jeff
Jeff
13 years ago

This comment has been removed by the author.

Crepes of Wrath
Crepes of Wrath
13 years ago

These are so cute and seem easy enough for me to attempt!

Adrianna from A Cozy Kitchen
Adrianna from A Cozy Kitchen
13 years ago

Wow! I love this idea so much. What a great summer dessert! And the mini cast iron skillets are beautiful.

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

Oooh!! You're going to have so much fun baking for that party!

These look delicious – I love the sugar crystals on top. I'm also extremely jealous of those cute little cast iron pans!

Deana Sidney
Deana Sidney
13 years ago

Boy that was going to be my first question.. where did you get those skillets… they are adorable! great looking dessert~

Kathy
Kathy
13 years ago

I definitely agree with what you said, How can something so simple be so delicious?! and I love apples and cinnamon flavor combined. Just by looking at the pictures, I can imagine how it smells like… hmmmm delicious!

Mara Campbell
Mara Campbell
13 years ago

Those are so cute!! The pans are just adorable, they make an amazing dessert look even more fun!!! And I love that you can make the recipe simple, something you can just throw together. Yeah for that! Good luck with your Alice cookies, can't wait to see them.

Lot-O-Choc
Lot-O-Choc
13 years ago

Wow this looks delicious and I love the look of your Alice cookies, good luck looking forward to seeing them :D.

Citrus Quark
Citrus Quark
13 years ago

I can't wait to try this.

Lisa
Lisa
13 years ago

I have recently found your blog — I am in awe, and now I am also hungry! :o) I will stop by often. I am going to make the rustic apple tart next weekend. Now I just have to find those cute cast iron pans!

Ingrid_3Bs
Ingrid_3Bs
13 years ago

Love love love those tarts and mini cast iron pans! I want!!

That little girl has no idea how lucky she is to have you baking for her! What ever you make will be top notch! Bet on it!!

Kathleen
Kathleen
13 years ago

Heather, these are both adorable and beautiful at the same time! I can't wait to see your Alice in Wonderland goodies!

Patty
Patty
13 years ago

I love cast iron skillets (as well as easy rustic fruity baking) what a lovely idea for a tart! Bonus: a little extra iron in the diet. 🙂

Patricia Scarpin
Patricia Scarpin
12 years ago

Those little apple tarts are too cute!

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

This is fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing!

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

I am so excited to try this but either I missed or it doesn't state. How Kim and what tempature am I suppose to bake this at??

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

Long not Kim, weird auto correct lol

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
11 years ago

Haha! Don't you just love auto-correct!?

Bake at 400 degrees. 🙂

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

14 tablespoons of butter are you for real?????

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
11 years ago

True. It makes two pie crusts. Plus I never kid around about butter.

xo

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

I recently purchased the mini lodge frying pans in Chat. Tenn at the Lodge store. They were in the second area with minimal blemishes which do not affect cooking. I paid $5.95 each. I love doing mac and cheese too.

Tanja
Tanja
11 years ago

Looks so great! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

This pie is delicious. I made it with a thin crust. I had enough dough for one 9' pie and one of 4' . My boyfriend loved it, he didn't want to share.

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Hi, I don't know how to find your pie crust recipe – please help 🙂 Also, this looks AMAZING! I can't wait to try it out 🙂 Thanks!

Sarah | Drool-Worthy
Sarah | Drool-Worthy
9 years ago

YUM! So pretty!

BaM
BaM
9 years ago

Where can I find the recipe for your pie crust.

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
9 years ago
Unknown
Unknown
8 years ago

why no recipe?

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
8 years ago
Reply to  Unknown

In 2010 when I wrote this recipe I used a recipe card site called "Key Ingredient". This was the way I made recipes printable back then, by embedding their printable card in my html. This year they've changed something with their operating systems and the cards – along with my old recipes – have disappeared. I have restored the recipe now and you should be able to view and print it easily.

-h

Eden Passante
Eden Passante
8 years ago

These look so good! Love that you used the cast iron skillets too! So cute!

Carolyn
Carolyn
6 years ago

Hi – would it work to make these ahead of time and refrigerate until they are ready to bake? If so, how far in advance could I prepare them? The day before? A few hours? Wanting to bring them to a friendsgiving and bake there…

Carolyn
Carolyn
6 years ago

p.s. I say "these" because I plan to make 10 individual pies in 3.5" lodge cast iron skillets:) So cute!

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
6 years ago
Reply to  Carolyn

Ah, that sounds so adorable! As long as your apples are pretty dry (like Granny Smith) I think you could make these a day ahead. The apples may give off a little juice, but the cornstarch in the recipe will help absorb that.

Unknown
Unknown
5 years ago

Oh Heather,
I did a round up of Apple Tart recipes on my blog and I included your photo and a link back to you for the recipe. I made your tart today and just enjoyed it with my family! OH MY, it is the best apple dessert recipe! Thanks so much for a wonderful dish.

CToth
2 years ago

5 stars
Excellent… I use my own Einkorn pie crust recipe and this was sooo good. I used a mini cast iron pan and baked it for 35 mins. I also used an egg wash on the crust instead of butter. Thank you for a wonderful recipe.
Delicious

Ashwini
Ashwini
2 years ago

Lovely! Very simple and delicious! I made it today and it turned out very well, tastes delicious ❤️