Apple Tart

I have just returned home from an amazing 4 days of skiing in Banff/Lake Louise. How lucky we are to live in this country where we have so much wilderness to explore. Elia was able to join Rick and I for the 4 days as it was her reading week. Plenty of snowboarding & skiing took place but no reading other than studying trail maps.


I returned to Toronto to discover that spring has arrived. I know it won't last but I am already anticipating all the wonderful foods spring will have to offer. Back in the fall after our apple picking adventure I made this delicious tart and I thought I would share it with everyone before strawberries & rhubarb take over.

This recipe is from Laura Caulder of the French Food at Home show on the Food Network. I really love how simple it is to make.


Ingredients

Tart Shell

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup flour

Cream Filling

• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup sugar

Topping

• 3 apples, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds or chopped walnuts

Directions

Tart Shell

1. Heat the oven to 400°F/200°C. Make the crust: cream the butter and sugar. Stir in the vanilla. Finally, mix in the flour to make a smooth dough. Press into the bottom of an 8-inch/20 cm spring-form pan, giving it about a 1-inch/2.5 cm rim. Bake 15 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from the oven.

Cream Filling

1. Beat all the ingredients for the cream filling together until smooth. Make the topping by tossing the apple slices with the cinnamon, sugar, and nuts. Remove the tart shell from the oven. Spread over the cream mixture.

Topping

1. Arrange the apple slices on top, then scatter over the nuts. Bake until the apples are tender and golden, about 40 minutes.