Chili-Caramel Apple Tart

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-23 · Updated 2026-03-23

A French-inspired tart with a Mexican twist, featuring spiced apple filling, velvety caramel, and a hint of smoked chili. This mexican-inspired desserts ready in about 50 minutes layers medium apples, caramel sauce, smoked paprika 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 280 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 medium apples
• 1/2 cup caramel sauce
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/3 cup sugar

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to ensure even baking. Tip: Use an oven thermometer to confirm accuracy.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup flour and 1/4 cup cold butter, rubbing with your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press the mixture into a 9-inch tart pan, shaping it into a 1/2-inch thick crust. Trim excess dough from the edges and refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm up. Tip: Chilling prevents the crust from shrinking during baking.
3. Step 3: Dice 2 medium apples into 1/4-inch thick slices. Transfer to a bowl and toss with 1/2 cup caramel sauce and 1 tsp smoked paprika until the apples are evenly coated. Tip: Avoid over-tossing to prevent the caramel from melting prematurely.
4. Step 4: Pour the caramel-apple mixture into the chilled tart shell, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Use the back of a spoon to gently press the apples into the crust, ensuring no gaps remain.
5. Step 5: Bake for 30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the caramel filling is bubbly and slightly thickened around the edges. Tip: If the crust browns too quickly, cover with aluminum foil.
6. Step 6: Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes at room temperature to firm up the filling. Serve warm, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Tip: Letting it rest makes slicing easier and prevents the caramel from running.