Apple Tart with Pastry Cream

Apple Tart with Pastry Cream is a medium French recipe that serves 8. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by Philippe's Kitchen on YouTube.

Prep: 3 hrs 30 min | Cook: 45 min | Total: 4 hrs 35 min

Cost: $5.40 total, $0.68 per serving

Ingredients

  • 1 roll (≈250 g) Shortcrust pastry (prepared) (ready-made shortcrust pastry, butter before use)
  • 4 units (≈600 g) Apples (Granny Smith or Golden type, peeled, cored and sliced into 2‑3 mm ribbons)
  • 500 ml Whole milk (for the pastry cream)
  • 100 g Granulated sugar (for the cream)
  • 40 g All‑purpose flour (for the cream)
  • 40 g Cornstarch (Maïzena) (for the cream)
  • 1 bean or 1 tbsp Vanilla bean or extract (for the cream)
  • 50 g Butter (20 g for the cream, 30 g for brushing the apples, unsalted)
  • 2 tbsp Apricot jam (final glaze (optional))
  • 5 g Brown sugar (pinch for caramelizing the apples (optional))

Instructions

  1. Heat the milk with the vanilla

    Pour the milk into a saucepan, add the split vanilla bean or extract, then bring to a boil while whisking.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: feu moyen

  2. Mix the sugars and starches

    In a bowl, combine the granulated sugar, flour and cornstarch, then whisk to homogenize.

    Time: PT5M

  3. Incorporate the melted butter

    Add the 20 g melted butter to the dry mixture and stir quickly.

    Time: PT2M

  4. Temper the mixture

    Slowly pour half of the hot milk over the dry mixture while whisking vigorously to avoid lumps, then return everything to the saucepan.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: feu doux

  5. Cook the pastry cream

    Cook over low heat, stirring constantly with the whisk, drawing figure‑eights, for about 5 minutes until the cream thickens slightly.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: feu doux

  6. Cool the cream

    Pour the hot cream into a bowl, cover immediately with plastic film touching the surface, let cool then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

    Time: PT2H

  7. Preheat the oven

    Preheat the oven to 180°C for 10 minutes.

    Time: PT10M

    Temperature: 180°C

  8. Line the tin with the pastry

    Butter the 25 cm tin, place the shortcrust pastry, spread it, prick the base with a fork to prevent puffing.

    Time: PT10M

  9. Prepare the cream before assembly

    Take the cream out of the refrigerator, remove the film, whisk again to make it smooth and silky.

    Time: PT2M

  10. Pour the cream onto the tart base

    Spread the pastry cream evenly over the pastry base using a spatula.

    Time: PT2M

  11. Prepare the apples

    Peel the apples, remove the core, cut into quarters then into very thin ribbons (2‑3 mm).

    Time: PT10M

  12. Arrange the apple ribbons

    Create a decorative pattern (rosace or chevrons) by arranging the ribbons on the pastry cream.

    Time: PT5M

  13. Brush the apples

    Melt the 30 g butter, brush the apples with a brush to brown them and make them shiny.

    Time: PT3M

    Temperature: feu doux

  14. Sprinkle with brown sugar (optional)

    Lightly dust the apples with a pinch of brown sugar to promote caramelization.

    Time: PT1M

  15. Bake the tart

    Bake the tart for 45 minutes at 180°C until the crust is golden and the apples are lightly caramelized.

    Time: PT45M

    Temperature: 180°C

  16. Glaze with apricot jam (optional)

    Immediately after removing from the oven, brush the surface quickly with warm apricot jam to add shine and colour.

    Time: PT2M

  17. Cool before serving

    Allow the tart to cool completely at room temperature (≈30 minutes), then place in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.

    Time: PT30M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
350
Protein
5 g
Carbohydrates
45 g
Fat
15 g
Fiber
3 g

Dietary info: vegetarian, contains gluten, contains dairy, low-calorie

Allergens: milk, butter, gluten

Last updated: April 6, 2026

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Apple Tart with Pastry Cream

Recipe by Philippe's Kitchen

A classic French tart where a crisp shortcrust pastry holds a generous layer of smooth pastry cream, topped with thin caramelized apple slices and a light apricot jam glaze. Ideal for dessert or tea time, it combines milky and fruity sweetness with a beautiful shine.

MediumFrenchServes 8

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Source Video
3h 27m
Prep
55m
Cook
31m
Cleanup
4h 53m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$5.40
Total cost
$0.68
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Temper the mixture to avoid lumps
  • Cook the pastry cream without letting it boil
  • Brush the apples with melted butter for a nice golden color
  • Bake at 180°C for 45 minutes

Safety Warnings

  • The milk and cream are very hot; handle with care to avoid burns.
  • Use a sharp knife for the apples to prevent cuts.
  • The oven reaches 180°C; wear kitchen gloves when handling the hot dish.

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