Spiced Cinnamon Raisin Apple Tart
Delight in this Spiced Cinnamon Raisin Apple Tart, a perfectly balanced dessert that combines the tartness of Granny Smith apples with the warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg, and the sweetness of raisins. This delightful kuchen features a buttery crust that cradles a creamy custard filling, studded with flavorful apples and complemented by a crumb topping for added texture. Whether enjoyed warm or at room temperature, this tart is perfect for sharing at gatherings or as a cozy end to a meal.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
flour
1 1/4 cups (all-purpose, for the crust and custard)
unsalted butter
1/2 cup (cold, cut into 8 pieces)
sour cream
3 tablespoons (for crust)
sugar
3 tablespoons (for crust, plus 1 cup for custard)
hard-boiled egg yolk
1 (mashed)
cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (for crust and 1/2 teaspoon for custard)
nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon
salt
1/4 teaspoon
egg white
1 (beaten to blend)
Granny Smith apples
3 large (peeled and cored)
sour cream
1/3 cup (for filling)
egg yolks
3 large
flour
1/4 cup
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon
cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon
raisins or currants
1/4 cup
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and position the rack in the center.
2
Butter a 9-inch tart pan with 1 1/2-inch high sides and a removable bottom (a springform pan works well too) and set aside.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, chilled unsalted butter, 3 tablespoons of sour cream, 1 tablespoon sugar, the hard-boiled egg yolk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Blend until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
4
Transfer all but 1/2 cup of the mixture into the prepared pan, pressing it evenly across the bottom and up the sides.
5
Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Afterward, brush the inside with beaten egg white and continue to bake until golden brown, about 15 more minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool on a rack.
6
Lower the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Meanwhile, mix the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar into the reserved crumb mixture and chill until ready to use.
7
For the filling, peel and core the apples, then thinly slice them.
8
In another bowl, whisk together the sugar, sour cream, egg yolks, flour, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until smooth. This will be your custard mixture.
9
Start the assembly by arranging half of the apple slices in concentric circles on the cooled crust, overlapping them slightly. Sprinkle half of the raisins or currants over the apples.
10
Repeat the layering process with the remaining apple slices and raisins.
11
Carefully spoon the custard mixture over the apples, lifting the slices slightly to ensure even distribution of the custard.
12
Finally, sprinkle the chilled reserved crumb mixture over the top.
13
Place the tart pan on a cookie sheet to catch any drips while baking. Bake until the custard is set and the top is slightly golden, about 65 minutes. If the edges of the crust brown too quickly, cover them with foil.
14
Once baked, let the tart stand for 10 minutes before removing the sides of the pan. Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally accompanied by whipped cream or crème fraîche.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Spiced Cinnamon Raisin Apple Tart?
It is a balanced dessert featuring Granny Smith apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and raisins inside a buttery crust with a creamy custard filling and crumb topping.
What kind of apples are best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for three large Granny Smith apples, which provide a nice tartness to balance the sweet custard.
How do I prepare the crust for this tart?
Combine flour, chilled butter, sour cream, sugar, mashed hard-boiled egg yolk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until the mixture looks like coarse meal.
Why is a hard-boiled egg yolk used in the crust?
The mashed hard-boiled egg yolk is mixed into the dough to help create a specific crumbly and buttery texture for the crust.
What is the initial baking temperature for the crust?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C) with the rack in the center position for the initial crust baking.
How do I prevent the crust from getting soggy from the custard?
The recipe instructs you to brush the inside of the pre-baked crust with beaten egg white and bake it further until golden brown to create a seal.
What size pan should I use for this apple tart?
You should use a 9-inch tart pan with 1 1/2-inch high sides and a removable bottom, or a springform pan.
How long does the crust bake before adding the filling?
The crust is baked for 10 minutes, brushed with egg white, and then baked for another 15 minutes before cooling.
What ingredients are in the custard filling?
The custard is a smooth mixture of sugar, sour cream, egg yolks, flour, vanilla extract, and cinnamon.
Can I use currants instead of raisins?
Yes, the recipe allows for 1/4 cup of either raisins or currants to be sprinkled throughout the apple layers.
How should the apples be prepared?
The Granny Smith apples should be peeled, cored, and then thinly sliced.
How are the apples arranged in the tart?
The apple slices are arranged in concentric circles on the cooled crust, overlapping them slightly in two distinct layers.
How much sugar is needed for the custard?
The custard requires 1 cup of sugar to provide the necessary sweetness.
What is the purpose of the reserved crumb mixture?
The 1/2 cup of reserved crust mixture is mixed with 2 tablespoons of sugar and sprinkled over the top of the tart before the final bake.
At what temperature should the tart be baked once filled?
Lower the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) for the final baking stage.
How long does the filled tart take to bake?
The tart needs to bake for approximately 65 minutes until the custard is set and the top is slightly golden.
What should I do if the crust edges brown too fast?
If the edges are browning too quickly, you can cover them with aluminum foil while the center continues to bake.
Should I use a cookie sheet under the tart pan?
Yes, placing the tart pan on a cookie sheet will catch any drips that might occur during the long baking process.
How long should the tart cool before serving?
Let the tart stand for 10 minutes before removing the sides of the pan.
Can this tart be served warm?
Yes, the tart can be served warm or at room temperature.
What are good toppings for serving?
This apple tart is excellent when served with whipped cream or creme fraiche.
How much butter is required for the crust?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of cold unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces.
How much flour is used in the custard?
The custard filling uses 1/4 cup of flour to help it set.
Does the recipe use vanilla?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract is added to the custard filling for flavor.
What spices are used in the custard?
The custard mixture includes 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
How many egg yolks are in the filling?
The filling uses 3 large egg yolks to create a rich custard.
Is there sour cream in both the crust and the filling?
Yes, 3 tablespoons are used for the crust and 1/3 cup is used for the custard filling.
How is the custard applied to the apples?
It is carefully spooned over the apples, and you should lift the slices slightly to ensure the custard distributes evenly.
What are the main tags for this recipe?
This recipe is tagged as a dessert, kuchen, apple tart, cinnamon, raisin, and a fall recipe.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 16 ingredients listed for this spiced apple tart recipe.