Apple Tart with Custard, fragrant, soft, and delicious: a homemade dessert that reminds of a warm oven, cozy wood, and slow family days. The lemon custard meets apples and cinnamon, creating an aroma that fills the entire kitchen and instantly lifts your spirits.
For this recipe, I almost always choose Golden Delicious apples: sweet, slightly tart, and perfect for enhancing the handmade shortcrust pastry. Cinnamon adds that enveloping note that makes every slice special, perfect for an afternoon snack or a Sunday breakfast.
If you love fruit desserts, try my grandma’s apple cake and the soft grandma’s tart: soft, genuine, and always appreciated by everyone, and if you love homemade tarts, in my collection you will find all the variations I prepare most often.
It’s a simple recipe accessible to everyone, ideal for preparing a homemade dessert that wins over at the first bite.
Let’s prepare it together calmly and with heart.
See you soon
Susy 💕
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- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Rest time: 2 Hours
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 10
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Energy 413.91 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 60.55 (g) of which sugars 32.61 (g)
- Proteins 7.68 (g)
- Fat 17.42 (g) of which saturated 10.01 (g)of which unsaturated 7.35 (g)
- Fibers 5.42 (g)
- Sodium 54.77 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 180 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients for the Apple Tart with Custard
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 9 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 lemon zest (grated)
- 2 cups milk
- 9 tbsp egg yolks
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 1 lemon zest
- 3 Golden Delicious apples
- brown sugar (for the surface)
- lemon juice (for the apples)
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon
Useful Tools
- Baking Pan 24 cm tart pan
- Rolling Pin
- Pastry Brush for cooking
Preparation of the Apple Tart with Custard
Start by preparing the shortcrust pastry: quickly mix the softened butter with the sugar, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt until you obtain a smooth cream. Add the egg and egg yolk, then gradually incorporate the flour. Work the dough just enough, form a dough ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and let it rest in the fridge for about 2 hours: this step is essential for a flexible, fragrant, and easy-to-roll pastry.
Meanwhile, prepare the custard: heat the milk with the lemon zest. In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, add the cornstarch and mix. Pour the hot milk in slowly, stir, and return everything to the heat, continuing to stir until the custard thickens and becomes velvety. Transfer it to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap in contact, and let it cool completely.
Peel the apples, slice them thinly, and place them in a bowl with lemon juice and a pinch of cinnamon to prevent browning and keep them fragrant. Take the pastry, roll it out on a lightly floured surface, and arrange it in the pan, pressing it well against the edges. Prick the base with a fork, pour in the custard, and level it. Arrange the apples in a circular pattern and sprinkle with brown sugar for a perfect golden finish.
Bake in a preheated static oven at 350°F for 45-50 minutes until the tart is golden and fragrant. Let it cool completely before removing it from the mold: this way, it remains compact, crispy, and perfect when cut.
Storage and Tips
The apple tart with custard can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days, covered with plastic wrap or under a glass dome, to keep it soft, fragrant, and always perfect to taste. If you prefer to serve it slightly warm, you can leave it at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before enjoying.
For a gluten-free version, you can use a specific gluten-free mix for desserts: you’ll get a crumbly and delicate base, perfect even for those who are intolerant.
Want a touch of freshness? Add a bit of grated orange zest to the custard: it will be even more fragrant, and the flavor will become even more enveloping.
For a glossy and irresistible appearance, heat 2 tablespoons of apricot jam with a teaspoon of water, mix well, and brush the surface of the tart when it is completely cool: it will be shiny, elegant, and ready to impress.
Questions and Answers
Can I prepare it in advance?
Of course, you can make it the night before: it will be even better the next day.
