Cinnamon Caramel Apple Tarts Recipe – Perfect Fall Desserts
Rich, creamy, fruity and caramelized apples. These exotic cinnamon caramel apple tarts are an absolute treat. Filled in crisp buttery shortcrust pastry baked to perfection. You can bake the shortcrust from scratch or make it semi-homemade using store-bought shortcrust pastry. Either way, these are perfect for fall or any time of the year. Make this as one large tart or mini desserts which make entertaining a breeze.
Cinnamon Caramel Apple Tarts
Apples are in plenty this time of the year and we have been bringing them by the dozens. I’ve made so many apples treats this year like every other year we are now just looking for more variations in our apple inspired desserts. Know what I mean?
It starts around the festival of Rosha Shana (New Year) at the beginning of fall, when I make my Apple Honey Tart Tartin. Yup, every single year my husband and the family will ask for their favorite Apple Honey Tart Tartin. In general Ziv and me love the classic Apple Pie so that is a must-have when the season comes in. The kids will request their favorite Spiced Apple Tart with ice cream. Rhea love this one which is my cinnamon caramel apple tarts – often I make a big tart out of this and it’s always a bit treat.
The list I said in my previous post where I shared my White Chocolate Pumpkin Caramel Tarts – I made these for desserts when I had some guest over and they were a big hit. So much that I had to promise to share the recipe asap!!
Cinnamon Caramel Apple Tarts
Tart Shells
You can make the tart shells from scratch or you can cheat and buy them from the store like I have done here. I just didn’t have the time to make them and when I see these at the store I absolutely must pick one tray. They are so pretty!
But you know me I’m a DIY kinda person so I usually opt to make my own. I do have a post on how to make these at home that shares a detailed step by step on how to make the PERFECT shortcrust pastry at home. If you plan to make the tart shells I highly recommend checking my post, Homemade Short Crust Pastry 101.
Like I said you can make a big tart with this recipe too. It will fill a pretty 7″ round pastry. I just had a fancy for mini tarts since I hadn’t make some in ages. The recipe is fairly simple and takes less than 15 minutes to make. So it’s a great way to make a quick dessert without much fuss really.
Cinnamon Caramel Apple Tarts
Let’s talk ingredients and substitutes (Save/Pin)
- Sugar – I am using white here so I can get pretty amber color – a dark sugar will give a very dark caramel color. But both would work.
- Cream – The quantity of cream is almost half of what we usually use in caramel. But we do not want the caramel to be too runny or it won’t set.
- Apples – I actually like using granny smith but I could only find gala. If you can; use granny smith as they are tart which works great with the sweet caramel and they soften but still can hold their shape.
- Lemon – Just a little lemon will help cut the sweetness it this dessert.
- Tart shells – These are quick store-bought mini tarts. If you prefer to make mini tart shells homemade then you already have my tried and tested recipe for Homemade Sweet Short Crust Pastry 101 – which is very detailed and everything you need to know about pastry even if you are really new to pastry making
Cinnamon Caramel Apple Tarts
Recipe – Cinnamon Caramel Apple Tarts (Save/Pin for later here)
Tools
Cinnamon Caramel Apple Tarts
Ingredients
- Apples – 3 large chopped
- White sugar – 1 cup
- Butter – 60 grams ( 1/2 stick)
- Cream – 30 ml (1/4 cup)
- Cinnamon – 2 tsp
- Lemon – 1 tbsp
- Pinch of salt to taste.
- Mini tart shells – 24 or one 7′ round tart shell.
Method
- Place sugar in a deep dish saucepan
- Let cook on medium shaking the pan to assist even cooking.
- Once all the sugar is dissolved reduce the heat to a minimum to prevent burning.
- The sugar will start to caramelize into a light amber color.
- Assist even cooking by gently shaking the pan.
- Once you reach a light amber color add in the chopped apples, lemon, cinnamon and a pinch of salt.
- Continue to cook on low heat letting the apple release their juices and soften
- You want the apples to cook and become soft and tender so they melt in the mouth.
- And you want some of the juice to evaporate so the caramel will not be too runny.
- When the apple feels tender and half of the juice has evaporated.
- Add in the butter and cream.
- Continue to cook for two more minutes letting it thicken
- Remove from heat and set aside to cool until just warm.
- Use a spoon to distribute the apple mixture into 12 mini tarts
- Or pour into one 7″ round shortcrust pastry tart.
- Chill in the fridge for an hour or two so the caramel will set
- Serve at room temperature.
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Cinnamon Caramel Apple Tarts
Cinnamon Caramel Apple Tarts
Ingredients
- 3 Apples large, chopped
- 1 cup White sugar
- 60 grams Butter 1/2 stick
- 30 ml Cream
- 2 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 tbsp Lemon
- 1 pinch Salt to taste
- 24 Mini tart shells or one 7' round tart shell
Instructions
- Place sugar in a deep dish saucepan
- Let cook on medium shaking the pan to assist even cooking.
- Once all the sugar is dissolved reduce the heat to a minimum to prevent burning.
- The sugar will start to caramelize into a light amber color.
- Assist even cooking by gently shaking the pan.
- Once you reach a light amber color add in the chopped apples, lemon, cinnamon and a pinch of salt.
- Continue to cook on low heat letting the apple release their juices and soften
- You want the apples to cook and become soft and tender so they melt in the mouth.
- And you want some of the juice to evaporate so the caramel will not be too runny.
- When the apple feels tender and half of the juice has evaporated.
- Add in the butter and cream.
- Continue to cook for two more minutes letting it thicken
- Remove from heat and set aside to cool until just warm.
- Use a spoon to distribute the apple mixture into 12 mini tarts
- Or pour into one 7" round shortcrust pastry tart.
- Chill in the fridge for an hour or two so the caramel will set
- Serve at room temperature.
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Made these last week from scratch. Including the shell using your shortcrust pastry recipe. Turned out so good. Not as professional as yours but everyone loved it.
Thank you, Roble. So happy you enjoyed this recipe and enjoyed it. Thanks for coming back to write this feedback. Have a lovely day.
Made these a few weeks back and everyone loved it used the cookie crust shells not the shortcrust but was still good.
Thank you Wiggeri. So happy to hear you had success with this recipe and enjoyed it so much. Thanks for coming back to write this feedback. Have a lovely day.
OMG, these were the best mini tarts ever. Made this for our dinner and the kids had a feast.
Thank you so much Vivian. So happy to hear you have success with this recipe and enjoyed it. Thank you so much for coming back to write this feedback. Have a lovely weekend.
Tried this recipe a few weeks back. Was so tasty. I made the shells myself. Were not so perfect but tasted delicious.
Thank you,Saundra. So happy you had success with this recipe and that you enjoyed it too. You are so awesome to make the shells yourself. Thanks for coming back to write this feedback. Have a wonderful week.
Made these last weekend. Were the best and easiest to make.
Thank you, Cris. So happy you have success with this recipe and loved it. Thanks for coming back to leave this feedback. Have a wonderful week.
Tried these several times since we love caramel and apple very much. Turns our perfect everytime.
Thank you, Charles. So happy you have success with this recipe and loved it. Thanks for coming back to leave this feedback. Have a wonderful week.
Tried this last weekend and it was so tasty. I used store bought shells too. Next time I’m going to make my own shells
Thank you, Awnet. So happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe. Yes, store brought shells make this dessert easier. Thank you for coming back to write this feedback.
Made these for a party and they were so good. Everybody loved it. Thanks
Thank you, Myra. So happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe. Thank you for coming back to write this feedback.
This turned out great. Very delicious. Thanks for the recipe
Thank you, Horton. So happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe. Thank you for coming back to write this feedback.
These little tartlets look beautiful! Love the individual servings especially for the holidays!
Thanks Catherine
I am going to try your shortbread crust out this November. I can’t wait! Also, the caramel cooked right along with the apples sounds decadent. I love that it’s flavored by the apples, too.
That’s what I like best about it too Carmen. I love the flavor of the apples in the caramel and the cinnamon is just absolutely heavenly
These already make me feel like it’s Thanksgiving. I can imagine the house smelled amazing the rest of the day. A relaxing scent and a delicious treat to boot!
Thank you Sara. It does feel like Thanksgiving right? I love the smell of apples cinnamon, pumpkin spice during fall.
These tarts are just perfect little bites. I love small desserts like this because you can eat more than one without feeling so guilty. Or is that only me?! I love the caramel apple together, perfect for the upcoming holiday season.
I know what you mean Joanna. I’m the same. These little ones are the killers.!!
I love this single serve dessert ideas as it is so easy to serve during parties. Apples with caramel is already making drool. I bet the whole house would be smelling like heaven when we bake these.
Absolutely Sandhya. The house does smell havenly when cooking the caramel.
These tarts looks so beautiful and tasty perfect bites for entertaining this season. You always have the best desserts and impressive presentations. Love the use of the apples!
Aww thank you so much Adriana. I do love my desserts Thanks
Wow…do these look delicious or what??? The perfect blend of goodness….all in a single serve dessert!! Fall perfection on a plate…bravo!!
Thank you Gloria. So happy you liked them. They sure are perfect for the season
Such a seasonal flavor – apples and caramel! I love these little tarts … and will probably use the store bought short cut approach, since pastry and crusts are challenging to me.
Absolutely you can use the store bought out of the jar too! That would be even more easy ..
YES I am always game for apple tart and those are flavored with cinnamon. I bet the kids go crazy for your tarts! 🙂
Absolutely Helen. Kids get so fascinated with the mini style tarts
I’ve been looking for a dessert with apples and these look amazing. I can even see using them for Thanksgiving. I also really appreciate that you decided to use lemon. Thanks for the recipe!
Oh these would be great for Thanks giving.. I do love a tad lemon as it cuts the sweetness in there.
Those look and sound wonderful. I bet they smelled great while you were making them. I wish I could try one right now!
Oh yes! The smell of cinnamon apples and caramel is amazing in the house and really stays long.