So often it’s the littlest things in life that are truly the most enjoyable. I always try to stop and take a moment in times like these. Whether it be to enjoy a mug of fresh coffee or snuggling by a roaring fireplace on a cold, dark night. Or the first tastes of warm bread, fresh from the oven, slathered in butter. (Oh wait, we glutards don’t really get to do that anymore!!) For me, one of the simplest of pleasures has to be digging into a slice of classic apple pie. That’s why creating a gluten free one has been on my wish list for forever. Finally though I’ve had the time to play with the idea and instead of a basic pie I decided to go in a different direction. I wanted to create a Gluten Free Apple Tart that not only tastes amazing, but that’s also easy as… well, pie!
It Really Is The Simplest Things
There are few things in life that are as quite as comforting as a slice of warm apple pie with a big scoop of cold vanilla ice cream. Unless that is, if you are my husband. Who, from a very early age, has hated all cooked fruit. I know!! Like really? So can you imagine how often I make a gluten free apple tart in my house, huh?! Yup. NEVER! And I mean quite literally NEVER in the last 10 years. It’s not just because of him though, well, OK, yeah it is. I can’t even contemplate whipping up an entire apple pie, because then I’d have to eat it all myself! (and I think I do that enough with everything else I bake hehe). That’s why I thought it was just about time I gave this classic dessert a try.
But I didn’t really want to go with a big ole hunkin apple pie either. I mean, I have made them in the past and they’re very time consuming and honestly, I never get the top piece of pastry right! I always have such grand plans for them and they never end up looking fab. Bit silly, but I know you’re with me. So that was really my inspiration for this gluten free apple tart. I wanted simple, I wanted easy. I even wanted something just a little more rustic looking. Above all though, I wanted those gorgeous flavours of apple pie. Without the hassle!
Can A Gluten Free Apple Tart Really Be Easy?
Yes indeedy. Even the pastry, which is a spiced version of my Sweet and Simple Gluten Free Shortcrust Pastry is super easy to whip up. With only 15 minutes of chilling and no crazy rolling or kneading or attempting to get it into a pie tin, it means you’ll be able to indulge in your delicious creation sooner. There’s also so messing around with the filling. No boiling apples, no cooking up a storm. Simply slice up your apples, coat them in some butter and chuck them in. Wollah. You’re done! Serve it up with lashings of custard and a big dollop of vanilla ice cream and it will be the highlight of any party. (Even parties for one, in front of the TV in your jammies!)
Hop into it folks and give this twist on the old classic a go. My Gluten Free Apple Tart is a stunner!
Rustic Gluten Free Apple Tart
Ingredients
Spiced Shortcrust Pastry
- 200 grams Gluten Free Plain Flour
- 100 grams Gluten Free Self Raising Flour
- 1/2 tsp Xanthan Gum
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg
- 140 grams Unsalted Butter cold, cubed
- 2 tbsp Ice Cold Water
- 2 lrg Eggs
Filling
- 3 lrg Granny Smith Apples
- 25 grams Butter melted
- 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar plus extra for sprinkling
- 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- Pinch Ground Cardamom
- 1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg
- 1 Egg beaten
- 1 Tbsp Almond Meal
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor, place the flours, Xanthan, salt and spices. Blitz for a few seconds to incorporate.
- Add cold, cubed butter to the food processor and blitz until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
- Remove the blade from the processor bowl and add the eggs and ice cold water and fork together until a sticky dough forms.
- Turn out onto a lightly floured piece of baking paper and work together until you have a flat disc type shape. Wrap tightly in glad wrap and place into the fridge for 15 minutes.
- While that's chilling you can prepare your filling: - Preheat your oven to 190 Degrees Celsius. Core and slice your apples into thin crescents and place into a bowl. Add melted butter and additional spices. Toss to combine and set aside.
- Once pastry has chilled, take a large clean sheet of baking paper (as large as your baking tray) and very lightly flour it. Turn your cold pastry disc out onto it and start rolling it out into a large flat disc.
- You want to a roughly round shape here, but overall it doesn't matter as we're going for a rustic look! Keep evenly rolling out until it's at least 1/2cm thick, though the thinner the better.
- Brush the top of the pastry with beaten egg and sprinkle the tablespoon of almond meal over top. Finish by tumbling the apple slices into the middle and roughly arranging. Be sure to leave a few cm's of pastry bare around the entire edge.
- Now take the edges of the pastry and pinch and pull it roughly over the edge of the apples. You can be as delicate and decorative as you like here. Once happy, slide the baking paper and tart onto your tray and straight into a moderate oven for 25 minutes.
- Simply cut rough pieces and serve with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of thick cream. Enjoy warm or cold over the next few days. Keep in an air tight container for 4-5 days.
Notes
- As with my Sweet and Simple Gluten Free Shortcrust Pastry recipe I wanted this to be simple and for you not to need worrying about which flour to use where. Simply use whatever gluten free blend you have on hand, though please note the consistency of the pastry will change depending on which one you choose. For this recipe I used White Wings Gluten Free range.
- This fab recipe reheats well also! Simply pop a piece on a microwave safe plate and nuke for 30 seconds on high. Enjoy!!
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