Upside Down Apple Tart

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This Upside Down Apple Tart is buttery, sweet, and surprisingly simple to make. It's the kind of dessert that looks fancy but doesn't need much effort. You'll love the crispy puff pastry paired with soft, caramelized apples.

Upside-down apple tart served on a plate, topped with powdered sugar and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

This tart is great for fall, but honestly, it's good any time you're craving something sweet and warm. It's especially perfect for holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas when apples are in season.

This tart was inspired by your popular Mini Apple Crumbles with Cinnamon Oat Topping, a bite-sized dessert that celebrates the same cozy, apple-forward flavors and easy prep vibe . It also pairs wonderfully with your Cozy Carrot and Lentil Soup, adding a comforting, homemade touch to any fall meal.

Ingredients

Puff pastry is a buttery, flaky dough that crisps up beautifully when baked.
Red Delicious apple is sliced thin so it softens and sweetens as it caramelizes.
Brown sugar adds a deep sweetness and helps create a rich caramel base.
Granulated sugar balances the flavor and helps the apples caramelize evenly.
Unsalted butter brings flavor and richness without adding extra salt.
Cinnamon is optional but adds a warm, cozy spice that pairs well with apples.
Salt sharpens the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Confectioners sugar is sprinkled on top for a light, sweet finish.

See recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Upside Down Apple Tart

Sliced apples in a saucepan with butter and sugar nearby, ready to be caramelized.

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Use a round baking pan or oven-safe skillet that's about 9 inches wide. In your pan or skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.

Ingredients being mixed in a saucepan over heat.

Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon (if using), and a pinch of salt.

A hand stirring sliced apples in a saucepan with melted butter and sugar.

Stir until everything is melted and the mixture starts to bubble.

Caramelized apple slices simmering in a saucepan, coated in a glossy brown sugar and butter mixture.

Carefully arrange the apple slices in a tight circular pattern in the pan. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, until the apples become tender and coated in caramel. Be careful not to let the caramel burn.

Puff pastry sheet dusted with flour on a lightly floured surface, marked and ready to be cut into sections.

While the apples are cooking, roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface.

Puff pastry sheet on parchment paper being cut into 6 equal rectangles.

Cut it into 6 equal rectangles.

A small square of butter placed on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Once the apples are caramelized, let them cool for a few minutes. Then, on a baking sheet, place 1 buttered area.

Caramelized apple slices being neatly arranged on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Layer 4 slices of the caramelized.

Puff pastry sheet being placed over caramelized apple slices on one half of the baking sheet, covering them before sealing.

Cover with 1 piece of puff pastry.

Puff pastry being placed over caramelized apple slices with a fork pressing down along the edges to seal.

Use a fork to press down and seal the edges of the pastry.

Freshly baked upside-down apple tarts resting on parchment paper, golden and caramelized.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden, puffed, and cooked through.

Freshly baked upside-down apple tarts resting on a parchment-lined wire rack.

Let the tarts cool for a few minutes after baking. Then, carefully flip each tart onto a plate. Be extra cautious here, as the pan and caramel will still be very hot.

"Baked upside-down apple tarts on parchment paper, topped with a light dusting of white confectioners' sugar.

Lightly dust with confectioners' sugar.

Serve warm or at room temperature, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Hint: Let the tarts rest for a few minutes after baking before flipping. This gives the caramel a chance to set slightly, making the flip easier and less messy.

Substitutions & Variations

Gluten-Free - Use gluten-free puff pastry.
Vegan - Swap out butter for vegan butter and use a plant-based pastry sheet.
Add-ins - Try pears instead of apples, or add a pinch of nutmeg for extra spice.

See this spicy version of this recipe on my website! (placeholder for in-content link)

💭Crucial Success Tips

Don't overcrowd the pan when arranging the apple slices. Keeping them in a tight, even layer helps them caramelize properly and gives each tart that beautiful, glossy finish.

FAQ

Can I freeze the tarts?

Yes, freeze after baking. Reheat in the oven to restore the crispness.

Can I use other types of apples for this recipe?

Yes, you can! While Red Delicious is soft and sweet, you can also use Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala for a firmer bite or more tartness.

6 tarts

Upside Down Apple Tart

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

These upside-down apple tarts are sweet, buttery, and caramelized to perfection with a flaky puff pastry top that becomes the base once flipped. Made with just a few simple ingredients, they’re perfect for cozy gatherings or quick dessert cravings—best served warm with a dusting of powdered sugar or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients

Puff Pastry: 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed if frozen
For the Apples: 1 Red Delicious apple, peeled, cored, and cut into thin slices
⅛ cup (25g) brown sugar
⅛ cup (25g) granulated sugar
4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter
½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
A pinch of salt
Confectioners sugar, for serving

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Use a round baking pan or oven-safe skillet that’s about 9 inches wide. In your pan or skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon (if using), and a pinch of salt.
Stir until everything is melted and the mixture starts to bubble.
Carefully arrange the apple slices in a tight circular pattern in the pan. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, until the apples become tender and coated in caramel. Be careful not to let the caramel burn.
While the apples are cooking, roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface.
Cut it into 6 equal rectangles.
Once the apples are caramelized, let them cool for a few minutes.
Then, on a baking sheet, place 1 buttered area,
Layer 4 slices of the caramelized apple.
Cover with 1 piece of puff pastry.
Use a fork to press down and seal the edges of the pastry.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden, puffed, and cooked through.
Let the tarts cool for a few minutes after baking. Then, carefully flip each tart onto a plate. Be extra cautious here, as the pan and caramel will still be very hot.
Lightly dust with confectioners’ sugar.
Serve warm or at room temperature, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 194Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 96mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 1gSugar: 23gProtein: 1g

How to Store Upside Down Apple Tart

Store leftover tarts in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in the oven or toaster oven to keep the pastry crisp. These tarts don't freeze well when unbaked but freeze okay once baked.