Fresh Apple Tarts

The pastry for these tarts is sweet and buttery and will melt in your mouth. This recipe makes 16 tart shells that are filled with a sweet mixture of apple, walnut and apricot jam. The edges of the dough are pulled up and over each tart and sealed before baking.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 388 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ¼ cups white sugar
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 eggs, beaten
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 4 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and chopped
• 11⁄16 cups unsalted butter
• 4 ounces apricot jam (if using jam, use less sugar) (Optional)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

In a large bowl, mix together flour, 1 1/4 cups sugar, and salt. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Mix in eggs and vanilla extract until dough forms a ball. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour but not more than 1 day.

Step 2

While the dough is chilling, prepare the apple filling.

Step 3

In a medium bowl, toss diced apples with sugar and cinnamon. Mix in walnuts.

Step 4

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease 16 3-inch tart pans. Remove tart dough from the refrigerator and let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before rolling out.

Step 5

Knead dough briefly on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 16 equal portions. Roll each portion into a 6-inch circle, and carefully fit one circle into each tart pan.

Step 6

Spoon an equal amount of apple mixture into each tart pan. Fold pastry over filling. Place filled tarts on a baking sheet.

Step 7

Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Melt apricot jam and brush over finished tarts, if desired.