Upside Down Apple Tart

Whether it’s a rainy afternoon or a festive family gathering, this Upside Down Apple Tart is one of those easy, show-stopping desserts that feels a little fancy without the stress. And let me tell you, when life gets a little chaotic (because let’s be honest, it always does), having a quick go-to recipe like this in your back pocket is a total game-changer.

This tart is buttery, crispy, sweet in all the right ways. Bonus: it’s made with puff pastry, so you don’t even have to deal with making dough from scratch. That’s what we call a win.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’ve ever had one of those days where dinner is a last-minute throw-together and dessert feels totally out of reach this one’s for you. Here’s why it’s a keeper:

• Quick Prep: Just 5-10 minutes to get everything ready. That’s less time than it takes to scroll through your favorite recipe app and decide what you’re in the mood for.
• Pantry-Friendly: Most of the ingredients are probably already hanging out in your kitchen.
• No-Fuss Baking: Puff pastry does all the heavy lifting, while the apples and butter do the rest.
• Big Payoff: It’s sweet, flaky, a little sticky (in a good way), and makes you look like a total kitchen rockstar.

What You’ll Need

How to Make This Easy Apple Tart

Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a round baking pan or oven-proof skillet something about 9 inches in diameter is perfect. This dish is all about the drama of flipping it upside down later, so make sure you’ve got something oven-safe and sturdy.

Step 2: Caramelize Those Apples
Pop your pan on the stove over medium heat. Add your butter, both sugars, a pinch of salt, and cinnamon (if using). Stir it all together until it melts and starts to bubble like a sweet, golden lava.

Then gently lay your apple slices into the pan in a circular pattern. Try to tuck them in snug kind of like a puzzle. Let them cook for about 10 minutes until they start to soften and that delicious caramel forms. Keep an eye on the heat you want bubbly, not burnt.

Step 3: Puff Pastry Time
While the apples are doing their thing, roll out your puff pastry on a floured surface. Cut it into 6 even rectangles. You don’t need to be perfect here rustic is charming!

Once the apples are caramelized, let them cool for a few minutes. (Hot caramel = very ouch. Trust me.) Then, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, lay down one rectangle of puff pastry, pile about 4 slices of caramelized apple on top, and press the pastry edges down gently with a fork. This seals them just enough to hold in that caramel goodness.

Step 4: Bake
Into the oven they go! Bake for around 30 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed up and beautifully golden. Your kitchen will smell amazing by now, by the way.

Step 5: Flip Carefully
Once baked, let the tarts sit for a few minutes to cool this helps the caramel firm up slightly and makes flipping a bit less risky. Then, flip each tart over onto a plate. (You can use a spatula or place a plate on top and invert it quickly.)

Step 6: Dust and Serve
Sprinkle a little confectioners sugar over the top for that final bakery-style flourish. Serve them warm if you can, maybe with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Or both. Always both if it’s been that kind of day.

Tips

• Want to make it extra fancy? Add a splash of vanilla extract or a drizzle of caramel sauce on top before serving.
• No puff pastry on hand? You can use pie dough in a pinch, but it won’t be quite as puffy or buttery.
• Make-ahead tip: You can caramelize the apples earlier in the day and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble and bake.

When to Serve This Sweet Treat

Honestly? Anytime. But here are a few sweet moments that just beg for an Upside Down Apple Tart:

• Family brunch with that one aunt who always expects homemade treats
• After-school snack when the kids have friends over
• Date night at home when you’re both too tired for complicated desserts
• Last-minute guests and you need a “Ta-da!” dish
• Just because you deserve something warm and sweet with your tea

Any Leftovers?

If you’re lucky enough to have any leftovers (it happens… rarely), just store them in an airtight container at room temp for a day or two. Pop them in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes to crisp them back up. Microwave works too in a pinch, though the puff might soften a bit.

So whether you’re baking to treat someone else or just treating yourself because goodness knows we all need those moments this tart is here for it.

View More Tart Recipes

• Apricot Cheesecake Tart
• Caramelized Onion Tart

Upside Down Apple Tart

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Ingredients

  

• 1 sheet Puff Pastry Thawed (grab it from the freezer section, it’s your best baking buddy)
• 1 Red Delicious Apple Peeled, cored, and sliced thin. You can swap in Granny Smith if you like a little tang.
• 1/8 cup Brown Sugar About 25g
• 1/8 cup Granulated Sugar About 25g
• 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter 60g
• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon Optional. Totally up to you, but it adds that warm, cozy flavor.
• pinch of salt It brings out the sweetness.
• Confectioners Sugar For dusting. It’s like the cherry on top makes it look and taste extra special.

Instructions

 

• Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a round baking pan or oven-proof skillet something about 9 inches in diameter is perfect. This dish is all about the drama of flipping it upside down later, so make sure you’ve got something oven-safe and sturdy.
• Pop your pan on the stove over medium heat. Add your butter, both sugars, a pinch of salt, and cinnamon (if using). Stir it all together until it melts and starts to bubble like a sweet, golden lava.
• Then gently lay your apple slices into the pan in a circular pattern. Try to tuck them in snug kind of like a puzzle. Let them cook for about 10 minutes until they start to soften and that delicious caramel forms. Keep an eye on the heat you want bubbly, not burnt.
• While the apples are doing their thing, roll out your puff pastry on a floured surface. Cut it into 6 even rectangles. You don’t need to be perfect here rustic is charming!
• Once the apples are caramelized, let them cool for a few minutes. (Hot caramel = very ouch. Trust me.) Then, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, lay down one rectangle of puff pastry, pile about 4 slices of caramelized apple on top, and press the pastry edges down gently with a fork. This seals them just enough to hold in that caramel goodness.
• Into the oven they go! Bake for around 30 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed up and beautifully golden. Your kitchen will smell amazing by now, by the way.
• Once baked, let the tarts sit for a few minutes to cool this helps the caramel firm up slightly and makes flipping a bit less risky. Then, with all the courage of a parent trying to sneak veggies into dinner, flip each tart over onto a plate. (You can use a spatula or place a plate on top and invert it quickly.)
• Sprinkle a little confectioners sugar over the top for that final bakery-style flourish. Serve them warm if you can, maybe with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Or both. Always both if it’s been that kind of day.