Express apple tart with shortcrust pastry flavored with tonka bean

Express apple tart with shortcrust pastry flavored with tonka bean is a medium French recipe that serves 4. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by Norbert Tarayre on YouTube.

Prep: 35 min | Cook: 25 min | Total: 1 hr 15 min

Cost: $8.85 total, $2.21 per serving

Ingredients

  • 250 g All-purpose flour (For the shortcrust pastry)
  • 175 g Unsalted butter (125 g for the dough, 50 g for the topping)
  • 70 g Cold water (About 70 ml)
  • 40 g Brown sugar (For the dough)
  • 1 small bean (≈0.5 g) Tonka bean (Grated and incorporated into the dough for a vanilla‑nutmeg aroma)
  • 1 pinch Salt (Optional, adjust to taste)
  • 3 medium units (≈300 g) Apples (Peeled and thinly sliced with a mandoline)
  • 200 g Unsweetened apple sauce (Base of the filling, 100 % pure fruit)
  • 55 g Almond powder (Absorbs moisture from the apples and the sauce)
  • 30 g Additional flour (Mixed with the almond powder to form the filling bed)
  • 40 g Vanilla sugar (Sprinkled over the apples before baking)
  • 50 g Unsalted butter (for the topping) (Cut into small pieces and distributed over the apples)
  • 1 tsp Powdered vanilla (Optional, to enhance the aroma)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the shortcrust pastry

    In a bowl, crumble the cold butter with the flour, brown sugar, pinch of salt and grated tonka bean. Mix with fingertips until a sandy consistency is achieved.

    Time: PT8M

  2. Incorporate the water

    Add the cold water gradually while mixing quickly until the dough comes together into a ball.

    Time: PT2M

  3. Roll out the dough

    Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll with a rolling pin until about 3 mm thick.

    Time: PT5M

  4. Line the pan

    Lay the dough into the tart pan, gently press the edges and trim the excess with a knife. Prick the base with a fork.

    Time: PT5M

  5. Prepare the absorption mixture

    Mix 30 g of flour with 55 g of almond powder in a small bowl.

    Time: PT3M

  6. Spread the apple sauce

    Evenly spread the apple sauce over the tart base.

    Time: PT2M

  7. Arrange the apple slices

    Place the apple slices in a rose pattern over the sauce, overlapping slightly.

    Time: PT5M

  8. Add butter and vanilla sugar

    Scatter small butter pieces (50 g) over the tart and sprinkle the vanilla sugar as well as the powdered vanilla.

    Time: PT2M

  9. Bake

    Bake the tart in a preheated oven at 200 °C for 25 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the apples are lightly caramelised.

    Time: PT25M

    Temperature: 200°C

  10. Rest and serve

    Let the tart rest for 5 minutes out of the oven before slicing.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

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

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

Allergens: gluten, milk, almonds

Last updated: April 7, 2026

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Express apple tart with shortcrust pastry flavored with tonka bean

Recipe by Norbert Tarayre

A quick and indulgent apple tart, made with a sweet shortcrust pastry scented with tonka bean. No dough resting, no mixer, just butter, flour, apples and a touch of almond to absorb moisture. Perfect for an improvised dessert among friends or family.

MediumFrenchServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
37m
Prep
25m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
1h 12m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$8.85
Total cost
$2.21
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Mix the cold butter with the flour without overheating the dough.
  • Roll out the dough between two sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Distribute the almond powder/flour mixture to absorb the apples' moisture.
  • Bake at 200 °C for 25 minutes to achieve a golden crust and caramelised apples.

Safety Warnings

  • Handle the tonka bean sparingly: it contains coumarin, consume in moderation.
  • Be careful of hot oven surfaces and stovetop plates.

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