Baked Fourth-Crust Apple Tart with Almond Glaze
A delicate apple tart featuring a flaky fourth-layered crust, topped with almond glaze for a sweet and nutty finish. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 75 minutes layers all-purpose flour, (cold, cubed) unsalted butter, granulated sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (cold, cubed) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup cold water
- 4 medium (peeled, cored, thinly sliced) apples
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1 large (for egg wash) egg
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Cut in 1 cup cold cubed unsalted butter using a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 2: Gradually add 1/3 cup cold water, stirring until dough forms a ball. Divide dough into 4 equal portions and roll each into a thin layer approximately 8 inches in diameter.
- Step 3: Preheat oven to 375°F. Layer the four dough rounds in a 9-inch tart pan, pressing gently to form a flaky fourth-layered crust.
- Step 4: Arrange 4 medium peeled, cored, and thinly sliced apples evenly over crust. Sprinkle 1 tsp ground cinnamon and 1/3 cup sliced almonds on top.
- Step 5: Whisk 1 large egg with 1/2 tsp almond extract and 2 tbsp powdered sugar to create a glaze. Brush this almond glaze evenly over the apples.
- Step 6: Bake for 40-45 minutes until crust is golden and apples are tender. Let cool before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Fourth-Crust Apple Tart with Almond Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (30 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Baked Fourth-Crust Apple Tart with Almond Glaze?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Fourth-Crust Apple Tart with Almond Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Fourth-Crust Apple Tart with Almond Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Fourth-Crust Apple Tart with Almond Glaze?
French desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
