If you're looking for a quick, easy, wow 'em kind of dessert then you'll love my favorite go to recipe for a rustic tart. The last one I made I used apples but really you could use other fruit such as pears, peaches, plums or apricots. And with summer right around the corner they will be in season in no time. Now if you're not a big baker don't worry...I promise this is as easy as pie!
Rustic Apple Tart
1 disc of store bought pie pastry dough
2-3 apples - peeled, cored and chopped
5 TBS sugar
1 TBS Cornstarch
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 stick butter cut in small cubes
1 egg mixed with 2 tsp water or milk
3 TBS Sugar in the Raw (turbinado)
Unroll your pie dough onto a parchment lined baking sheet. In a separate bowl, combine apples, sugar, cornstarch and spices. Fill the center of the pie shell, pile it up high in the middle. Gently fold the outside of the shell into the center to hold the fruit inside. Dot apples with the butter cubes. Brush the outside of the tart with your egg wash and sprinkle the crust with the turbinado sugar. This will give it a crunchy crust and makes it look spectacular! Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 35-40 minutes.
If you like you can add a glaze of peach, apple or apricot jam to the top to give it some sheen but it's not necessary and will taste just as delicious without it. Another hint is to let your pie dough sit out for a few minutes before you start working with it. That tends to keep it from breaking too much while you're folding in the sides. And the pie pastry usually has two per package so you can easily double this recipe for a crowd. Serve with whip cream or vanilla bean ice cream if you're into gilding the lily! Bon Appetite!
