The warm smells and flavors of fall come alive in this custardy brown butter apple tart.
Ingredients
For the crust
· 1 cup plus 2 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
· 1 cup sugar
· ¼ tsp salt
· 1 large egg, beaten
· 2 tbsp heavy cream
· 2 tsp vanilla extract
· 3½ cups all purpose flour
For the filling
· 4 large eggs
· 1 cup sugar
· 1 cup unsalted butter
· 1 vanilla bean or 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste
· ½ cup all purpose flour
· ½ tsp kosher salt
· 3 firm, tart apples, peeled, cored and cut crosswise into ¼-inch thick rings
Instructions
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter, sugar, and salt on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add in the egg, heavy cream, and vanilla. Combine until smooth. Add the flour and mix until the dough comes together.
Turn out onto a floured work surface and knead a few times. Divide the dough in half and pat each half into a flat disc. Wrap each in plastic wrap and store one in the freezer for future use. Put the other in the refrigerate and chill for 2-3 hours or overnight.
The next day, roll out the refrigerated disc on a lightly floured work surface until it is ⅛-inch thick and 2-inches wider than the tart pan. Spray a 10-inch tart pan with nonstick spray. Press the dough into the tart pan and up the sides. Trim the edges and use the excess to repair any tears or fill any holes. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes.
Heat oven to 350F. Remove the crust from the freezer and line with parchment paper or foil. Fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the weights and set aside to cool while you prepare the filling.
For the filling, whisk together the eggs and sugar in a medium bowl until combined. Put the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Allow to melt and then cook, stirring frequently, until the butter becomes an amber color and smells nutty. Remove from the heat and pour into a bowl. Allow to cool for 10 minutes. Scrape the insides from the vanilla bean into the butter and whisk to combine. Slowly whisk the brown butter into the egg/sugar mixture. Stir in the flour and salt.
Place the tart shell on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Layer the apples in the tart shell. Pour the filling over the apples until just covered (you may have extra). Bake until the apples are a golden brown and the filling is set in the center, about 70-80 minutes.
Let the tart cool on a wire rack for 2 hours. Serve warm or at room temperature, with whipped cream or ice cream to garnish.