Mini Spiced Apple Cinnamon Tarts
Bite-sized tarts bursting with tender cinnamon-spiced apples layered in flaky pastry, ideal for parties or a cozy dessert. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 40 minutes layers granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, lemon juice 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 150 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 sheet, thawed ready-made puff pastry sheets
- 2, peeled, cored, and diced into 1/4-inch pieces medium apple
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1, beaten for egg wash egg
- for dusting powdered sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a medium skillet, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 2 peeled, cored, and diced medium apples, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1 tsp lemon juice. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 6-8 minutes until apples are tender but not mushy. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
- Step 2: Roll out 1 thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface to smooth creases. Cut into 12 equal squares, about 3 inches each. Place squares on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Step 3: Spoon about 1 tbsp of the cooled spiced apple mixture onto the center of each puff pastry square. Brush edges with 1 beaten egg and fold corners towards the center, slightly overlapping to form mini tarts.
- Step 4: Brush the tops of the tarts with remaining egg wash. Bake for 20-22 minutes until pastry is golden and puffed. Remove from oven and cool on wire rack.
- Step 5: Dust the mini tarts lightly with powdered sugar before serving warm or at room temperature.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mini Spiced Apple Cinnamon Tarts take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 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 Spiced Apple Cinnamon Tarts?
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 Spiced Apple Cinnamon Tarts?
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 Spiced Apple Cinnamon Tarts 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 Spiced Apple Cinnamon Tarts?
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.
