Twenty five years ago Disney released the animated classic BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, based on a French fairy tale of the same name by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont. That film quickly became my most favorite Disney movie (sorry Little Mermaid, you had two years in the top spot). Even after all the amazing films Disney Animation has released, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST still remains my top favorite. I was beyond ecstatic when Disney announced a live action version… And if you know anything about my blog, you know that I’m often inspired in the kitchen by upcoming films I’m excited see. So of course, I’ve been experimenting with French cuisine lately! (Like a french apple tart? Oui!)
When I first started baking, one of the first French recipes I ever tried my hand at was a Tarte aux Pommes, or what us Americans refer to as a French Apple Tart. When I was combing through my recipes, I couldn’t think of a better one to share with you first, in what will hopefully be a series of French recipes featured here on the blog in honor of the upcoming film, arriving in theaters March of 2017.
Ingredients
2 cups of flour
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 tablespoon of sugar
12 tablespoons of unsalted butter, diced
1/2 cup of cold water
3 apples (I used Granny Smith)
1/2 cup of sugar (for apples)
4 tablespoons of unsalted butter, diced (for apples)
1/2 cup of apricot jam
2 tablespoons of water (to mix with jam)
Directions
First let’s make the pastry shell. Mix together your flour, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Combine well! Then add in your 12 tablespoons of diced butter. I will note that combining the ingredients in a food processor does make it easier! However do not fret if you don’t have one. As I created this recipe tutorial for the blog, I actually did not use a processor. You’ll want to mix well enough so that the butter is mixed in, or in very small pieces.
Stir in the cold water (the colder the better!) and mix until the dough really starts to come together. Knead the dough over a floured surface. Then cover the dough in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
While the dough is refrigerating, let’s work on the apples. If you wish to peel the apples you may. However I’ve made the tarts without peeling and it tastes just as great. Cut the apples into thin slices. Don’t let the slices be any thick than 1/4 of an inch.
Assuming the dough is finished refrigerating, let’s go ahead and preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Take your dough and roll it out. You want it to at least be 10 inches by 14 inches.
Take your apple slices and place them on the dough, somewhat overlapping slices of apples. Keep layering until the pastry is covered with apple slices as seen below. Take the sugar and sprinkle the full 1/2 cup on top of the apples. Then dot the apples with the diced butter.
Bake the tart for 45 minutes to 1 hour. You’ll want the pasty and edges of the apples to be brown. Make sure you rotate the pan in the middle of baking! Keep in the mind that the juice from the apples may burn on the pan. Don’t worry, the tart is still fine!
Once the tart is done baking, heat up your apricot jam with the 2 tablespoons of water. Stir so that it mixes well. Then brush the mixture on top of the apples.
Allow the tart to cool. This allows the flavors to really blend together. Then simply slice, serve, and enjoy!
The tarts is best served warm, or at room temperature. After allowing the tart to cool, you can always slice it up, and then pop a piece back in the microwave for a few seconds.
Next time you have guests over… try out this French Apple Tart to serve! It’s a simple and easy recipe, that still provides quite a level of sophistication for any culinary cabaret!
Beauty and the Beast Official US Teaser Trailer
Now I want to share with you the teaser that inspired this posting… but first, check out the brand new teaser poster! Seriously. How insanely gorgeous is it? I cannot wait to see this film come to life!!!
Okay, and now the teaser…
Don’t forget to connect with film on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
This film comes to theaters March, 17, 2017.
This sounds like one I have to try! I love the idea of taking recipe inspiration from films. Will definitely try to test this one out on my recipe testing blog.
That looks so delicious! My kids love apples and would love this recipe!
This looks delicious! I have to say I smiled really big because I have that Chip cup too – got it for my birthday present! CANNOT WAIT for this movie to come out!!
This looks lovely!!! I’m totally excited for the new Beauty and the Beast. I love Emma Watson!
That looks awesome! My family would gobble this up!
This tart would be a wonderful brunch addition. Beauty and the Beast is one of my all time favorite Disney movies and I had no idea it was French!
This french apple tart looks and sounds so delicious. I love apple tarts and I am going to be making this recipe for sure. The live action Beaty and the Beast I am going to for sure have to see. Thanks for the recipe and the trailer.
Your French Apple tart turned out so good. I love tarts and this looks easy to make and I want to make it. Thanks for an awesome recipe.
What a delicious recipe! I’d love to try it!!
Yummy! This looks delicious! I love how a lot of your recipes are inspired by movies. My granddaughter and I will enjoy making this and the others will enjoy eating it! I have it pinned. Thanks!
This looks heavenly!
This tart looks so delicious and fun to make. I think it looks so pretty and I want to make it!
Oh wow, that looks so good! Our little one loves apples, oh I have to try this for him! YUM
This looks so yummy! I cannot wait to see the movie :)
Sweet and delicious. Sounds so good. I think I would really enjoy this. Yummy!