Mini Caramel Apple Tartlets
Individual tartlets filled with tender cinnamon-spiced apples and rich caramel sauce, encased in flaky pastry for a perfect bite-sized treat. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 65 minutes layers all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, cold and cubed, cold water 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 210 calories and feeds 12, 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 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 3 tbsp cold water
- 2 medium large apples, peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- 1 egg, beaten
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: To make the pastry, combine 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour and 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter cubes in a food processor. Pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 2: Add 3 tbsp cold water gradually and pulse until dough just comes together. Turn out dough, form into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a bowl, toss 2 medium peeled and diced apples with 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1 tbsp lemon juice.
- Step 4: Roll out chilled dough on a floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into twelve 3-inch circles and press each into a greased mini muffin tin.
- Step 5: Spoon the apple mixture evenly into each tart shell.
- Step 6: Brush edges of dough with 1 beaten egg for a golden finish.
- Step 7: Bake tartlets for 20-25 minutes until pastry is golden and apples are tender.
- Step 8: Remove tartlets from oven and immediately drizzle 1/2 cup caramel sauce evenly over the warm apple filling. Let cool before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mini Caramel Apple Tartlets take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (40 min prep + 25 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 Mini Caramel 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 Mini Caramel 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 Mini Caramel Apple Tartlets for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). 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 Mini Caramel Apple Tartlets?
American 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.
