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Apple and Calvados Tart (Galette de Pommes au Calvados)

4.7

(59)

An apple and calvados tart with a slice on a plate topped with a dollop whipped cream.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Frances Boswell

This is a dessert you'll make over and over in the fall when interesting apples fill the farmers’ market; but the Calvados sauce ensures it even makes out-of-season apples sing.

Cooks' Note

Galette can be made 8 hours ahead and kept at room temperature.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    3 3/4 hr

  • Yield

    8 servings

Ingredients

1 3/4 pound Gala apples
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup plus 1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 1/2 tablespoons apple jelly
1 cup chilled heavy cream
1 tablespoon confectioners sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons Calvados

Special Equipment

parchment paper; a large baking sheet (at least 14 inches wide)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Roll out pastry on a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin into a rough 16-inch round (1/8 inch thick), then transfer carefully to parchment-lined large baking sheet. Loosely fold in edge of pastry where necessary to fit on baking sheet, then chill, covered loosely with plastic wrap, 30 minutes.

    Step 2

    Preheat oven to 425°F.

    Step 3

    While pastry is chilling, peel and core apples, then cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices. Toss slices with lemon juice and 1/3 cup granulated sugar.

    Step 4

    Put baking sheet with pastry on a work surface and unfold any edges so pastry is flat. Spread applesauce over pastry, leaving a 2-inch border, and top sauce with sliced apples, mounding slightly. Fold edges of dough over filling, partially covering apples (center will not be covered) and pleating dough as necessary. Dot apples with butter, then brush pastry edge lightly with water and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar. Bake galette in middle of oven until pastry is golden and apples are tender, 40 to 45 minutes.

    Step 5

    While galette is baking, melt apple jelly in a very small saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring.

    Step 6

    Slide baked galette on parchment onto a rack, then brush with melted jelly and cool galette until warm or room temperature.

    Step 7

    Beat together cream and confectioners sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer until cream just holds soft peaks, then beat in Calvados. Serve galette topped with dollops of Calvados cream.

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