Apple Crumble Tartlets with Salted Caramel Sauce
Apple crumble tartlets with salted caramel sauce are a delightful fusion of two beloved desserts – apple pie and apple crumble – elevated with the addition of decadent salted caramel sauce. Each bite is a symphony of flavors and textures, with tender spiced apples nestled in a buttery pastry crust, topped with a crunchy crumble topping, and drizzled with rich salted caramel sauce.
Ingredients
For the Pastry:
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsalted butter chilled and cubed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons ice water
For the Apple Filling:
- 3 medium apples peeled, cored, and diced
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
For the Crumble Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- ¼ cup unsalted butter chilled and cubed
For the Salted Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
Prepare the Pastry:
- In a food processor, pulse together the flour, sugar, and salt until combined.
- Add the chilled butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the egg yolk and ice water and pulse until the dough comes together.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently until smooth.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Make the Apple Filling:
- In a medium bowl, toss together the diced apples, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well coated. Set aside.
Prepare the Crumble Topping:
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, sugar, rolled oats, and chilled butter.
- Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
Assemble the Tartlets:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin and set aside.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled pastry dough to about 1/8-inch thickness.
- Use a round cookie cutter or glass to cut out circles of dough slightly larger than the muffin tin cups.
- Press the dough circles into the muffin tin cups, shaping them to fit snugly.
- Spoon the apple filling into each pastry-lined cup, dividing it evenly among the tartlets.
- Sprinkle the crumble topping over the apple filling, covering it completely.
Bake the Tartlets:
- Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
Make the Salted Caramel Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, heat the granulated sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula.
- Continue cooking until the sugar melts and turns a deep amber color, about 5-7 minutes.
- Carefully add the butter and stir until melted and well combined.
- Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring constantly, being careful as the mixture will bubble up.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the sea salt. Set aside to cool slightly.
Serve the Tartlets:
- Let the tartlets cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before carefully removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the cooled tartlets just before serving, allowing it to cascade down the sides for a beautiful presentation.
Notes
- You can use any variety of apples for the filling, but firm and tart varieties such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work particularly well.
- Make sure to let the pastry dough chill sufficiently in the refrigerator before rolling it out, as this will help prevent shrinkage during baking.
- If you don't have a muffin tin, you can also make these tartlets in individual tart pans or mini pie dishes.
- The salted caramel sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Simply reheat it gently before serving.
- These apple crumble tartlets with salted caramel sauce are best enjoyed warm, either on their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.