Half-Baked Cinnamon Apple Tartlets
Individual tartlets featuring tender cinnamon-spiced apples nestled in buttery half-baked pastry shells, perfect for a cozy dessert. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 55 minutes layers all-purpose flour, 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 280 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 6 tbsp cold, cubed unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp cold water
- 2 medium, peeled and thinly sliced apples
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1, beaten for egg wash egg
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour and 2 tbsp granulated sugar. Cut in 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter with a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 2: Add 3 tbsp cold water gradually, mixing until dough just comes together. Form dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for 15 minutes.
- Step 3: Roll out chilled dough to 1/8-inch thickness and cut into 4 circles to fit tartlet pans. Place dough circles into pans and prick the bottoms with a fork.
- Step 4: Bake the tart shells for 10 minutes (half-baked) until edges are set but not browned. Remove from oven.
- Step 5: Toss 2 peeled and thinly sliced apples with 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Fill the half-baked shells evenly with apple mixture.
- Step 6: Brush the exposed dough edges with 1 beaten egg for shine, then bake tartlets for 20 minutes more until apples are tender and crust is golden brown. Cool slightly before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Baked Cinnamon Apple Tartlets take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (25 min prep + 30 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 Half-Baked Cinnamon Apple Tartlets?
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 Half-Baked Cinnamon Apple Tartlets?
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 Half-Baked Cinnamon Apple Tartlets for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Half-Baked Cinnamon Apple Tartlets?
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.
