Get ready to experience a spiced caramel apple tartlet explosion in your mouth! These individual-sized tarts are the ultimate fusion of flaky pastry, warm spices, and a luscious caramel-apple filling that will have you coming back for more. Prepare to elevate your dessert game with this insanely delicious recipe that’s sure to wow your friends and family.
Why You’ll Love This spiced caramel apple tartlets
These spiced caramel apple tartlets are an absolute game-changer in the world of desserts. The buttery, flaky crust perfectly complements the smooth, velvety caramel-infused apple filling, creating a sensational flavor experience. The touch of warm spices, like cinnamon and nutmeg, adds an incredible depth of flavor, making these tartlets truly legendary. Plus, the individual servings make them the perfect treat for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just indulging in a little self-care. Trust us, one bite and you’ll be hooked on these epic, mouth-watering tartlets!
Ingredients
Gather up your ingredients for these spiced caramel apple tartlets and get ready to create a flavor explosion! You’ll need all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, and a touch of salt to make the flaky, buttery crust. For the insane caramel-apple filling, you’ll need Granny Smith apples, brown sugar, unsalted butter, heavy cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Get ready to embark on a thrilling culinary adventure!
- 2 1/4 cups (281g) – all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (226g) – unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 1/4 cup (50g) – granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 teaspoon – salt
Ingredient Substitutions
- Apples: Honeycrisp or Fuji apples (for a slightly sweeter flavor profile)
- Nutmeg: Allspice or ginger (for a similar warming effect)
How to Make spiced caramel apple tartlets
Get ready to transform your kitchen into a flavor paradise with these spiced caramel apple tartlets!
Step 1: [Prep Work]
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 12-cup muffin tin. In a food processor, pulse the flour, butter, sugar, and salt until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg and pulse until the dough just comes together. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and press them into the prepared muffin cups, creating a small well in the center of each one.
Step 2: [Main Cooking Process]
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and the sugar has caramelized, about 10-12 minutes. Carefully pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce has thickened.
Step 3: [Final Steps/Assembly]
Spoon the warm, spiced caramel-apple filling into the prepared tartlet shells, dividing it evenly among the 12 cups. Bake the tartlets for 18-22 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Allow the tartlets to cool in the muffin tin for 10 minutes before gently removing them.
Step 4: [Finishing Touches]
For the ultimate finishing touch, drizzle a bit of extra caramel sauce over the top of each tartlet, or serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an over-the-top, mouth-watering dessert experience.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Crunchy Topping: Add a sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for an extra layer of texture.
- Spice Blend: Experiment with different spice blends, like pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice, to really make the flavors pop.
- Indulgent Topping: Top the tartlets with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra-decadent treat.
- Flavor Variations: Try adding a splash of bourbon or a touch of vanilla extract to the filling for a unique twist.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of extra caramel sauce.
Storage: Store the fully baked and cooled tartlets in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Reheat: To reheat, simply pop the tartlets back in the oven for a few minutes until warmed through.
Make-Ahead: The tartlet dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.
Nutrition Information
These spiced caramel apple tartlets are a decadent treat, but they’re also packed with some nutritious ingredients. Indulge in these epic tartlets, but remember to enjoy them in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
- Serving Size: 1 tartlet
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Protein: 2 g
- Carbs: 35 g
- Fat: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the tartlet dough in advance?
Absolutely! The tartlet dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. When ready to use, simply press the chilled dough into the muffin cups and proceed with the recipe.
Can I use a different type of apple?
Definitely! While Granny Smith apples are a classic choice for their tart, firm texture, you can certainly experiment with other varieties. Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala apples would also work beautifully in this recipe, adding their own unique flavors and textures.
How can I make these tartlets gluten-free?
To make these spiced caramel apple tartlets gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. This will ensure the same flaky, tender crust without the gluten.
Can I make these tartlets ahead of time?
Yes, you can make these tartlets in advance! The fully baked and cooled tartlets can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, simply reheat them in the oven for a few minutes until warm and crisp.
What can I serve with these tartlets?
These spiced caramel apple tartlets are amazing on their own, but they also pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of extra caramel sauce. For a fun twist, you can even serve them with a side of cinnamon-sugar dusted apple slices or a sprinkle of chopped nuts.
Try These Next
- Caramelized Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake
- Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Bites With Spiced Apple Swirl
- Maple Bourbon Glazed Turkey Burger Sliders With Apple Slaw
Indulgent Spiced Caramel Apple Tartlets
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These spiced caramel apple tartlets are a delightful dessert featuring a buttery crust filled with spiced apples and topped with rich caramel.
Ingredients
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup unsalted butter, chilled and diced
¼ cup sugar
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons cold water
3 medium apples, peeled and sliced
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
½ cup caramel sauce
Pinch of salt
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Stir in egg yolk and cold water until dough forms a ball. Roll out and fit into tartlet pans.
4. In another bowl, toss apple slices with cinnamon and nutmeg.
5. Fill each tartlet shell with spiced apples and drizzle with caramel sauce.
6. Bake for 25 minutes or until apples are tender and crust is golden.
7. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.
These tartlets can be made ahead and reheated before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tartlet
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: tart, apple, caramel, dessert