Apple Tarte Tatins, Home Made Butter Puff Pastry @Not Quite Nigella

Apple Tarte Tatins, Home Made Butter Puff Pastry & a move East!

June 10, 2009 by Not Quite Nigella

I know I only said recently that should I ever try and make puff pastry that you should take this as sign to call the mental health authorities and in my defence Your Honour, I truly meant it. You see I had seen Delia make puff pastry on her show and it didn’t look great. Can I even say that? Will I be banned from visiting all Commonwealth countries for saying that? But to plead my side of the case, I had success with a filo pastry which I thought I’d never see occur and the natural progression is then Puff Pastry which readers and friends assured me would be ok.

The other reason why I made the puff pastry is because I didn’t want to buy any Puff Pastry as I wanted to clear out the freezer because we are moving house! Yes that’s the big news for us and if I’ve been curiously silent or busy on twitter or facebook recently (I just started this facebook page yesterday-come join us!), it’s because we’ve been busy buying our first apartment. We’re renovating our bathroom and kitchen which will be exciting but not without trepidation. For those that are familiar with Sydney, we’ll be moving from the Lower North Shore back to the Eastern Suburbs where I grew up and we’re both very excited about the move. So hopefully I’ll be able to clear out my cupboards and fridge/freezer without blogging about bizarre dishes like “What’s left in the freezer prawn head and quince paste soup” (yes I keep prawn shells to make seafood soup stock).

For the puff pastry, I used a recipe I found on the lovely blog Kitchen Unplugged which was a quick puff pastry although it still took a few hours. I rolled and rolled and rolled and even though mine didn’t look anywhere as neat as hers, when I baked it it became a golden, buttery wonder. There were so many layers I was stunned. Did I just make that? Really? I felt as proud as a new mother whose baby has just spoken a full sentence. If you do get the urge, and of course I don’t expect many of you to as it takes a long time, do try and make this puff pastry using your best butter. The supermarkets puff pastries are not usually made from butter (and if they are they’ll definitely be branded so and more expensive) and the amount of layers I got from this was simply astounding. The crunch, the butteriness and the delicious apple put rest to any apprehensions I had about it. Who knows, I might even be persuaded to make it again!

Dear Readers, if anyone has any advice on bathroom or kitchen renovations or any recommendations, please let me know!

Oh and before I forget, Every Wednesday I’ll put up a new Wallpaper picture. We all know Wednesday is possibly even a worse day than Monday as you are neither fresh and relaxed from the weekend like on a Monday nor are you tired but looking forward to the weekend like you are on a Friday. There’s a reason why they call it Hump Day. So in the spirit of trying to get over the hump, instead of changing your job, you can change your Wallpaper! Sure it won’t give you a six figure salary boost or a job travelling the world but every little bit counts right? Welcome to the first Wallpaper of Wallpaper Wednesdays!

For instructions on how to install Wallpapers or to see past Wallpapers, click here!

Apple Tarte Tatins with Home Made Puff Pastry

1/2 batch of puff pastry rolled out (see below) or 2 sheets ready made puff
2 small Granny Smith apples, peeled and cored and sliced into 6 slices each
50g butter
50ml honey or your favourite syrup (I used a Serendipity Orange Blossom & Vanilla Syrup)
12 hole muffin tray (the base of the holes should be roughly the size of your apple’s circumference) buttered

1. Preheat oven to 180C/350F. Cut out 12 rounds of pastry with pastry cutter that fits the muffin holes. Place pastry rounds in the fridge.

2. In a large saucepan melt the butter and syrup and cook on medium until thickened and combined. Add the apples and cook for about 5 minutes.

3. Carefully place one piece of apple in each muffin hole. Cook syrup until it gets darker and distribute syrup in the pan over each one. Then place the pastry on top and gently push down on top of the apple (not too hard). Bake for 15 minutes.

Puff my little pretties!

4. When done, rest for 2 minutes and then flip them out of their holes gently! Don’t let them rest too long or they’ll stick to the pan a bit too steadfastly.

Adapted from Donna Hay

Home made butter puff pastry

7 Tbps (100g) unsalted butter, melted, cool to room temperature
4 cups (500g) plain flour
2 1/2 tsps salt
about 1 cup (220g) water
1 1/4 cups+ 1 1/2 Tbps (300g) best unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, frozen

1. Combine melted butter, flour, salt and water until a dough is formed. Add in frozen butter cubes, make sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough as much as you can. Shape dough into a rough 8″ x 10″ x 1″ (thick) rectangle, wrap it in plastic and rest in fridge at least 1 hour, max. 12 hours.

2. Lightly flour the work table, roll dough to 10″ x 23″ rectangle, fold the short sides to the middle (the book fold) and then fold one half over the other half. Rest for 1 hour. During rolling, don’t add to much flour as that toughens the pastry. Whenever you feel the dough sticky, chill in fridge and let it get harden again. And anytime the dough refuses to spread out, also, rest it in fridge for 15 minutes or so; the gluten in dough will be relax again.

3. Repeat this folding process 2-3 more times. Rest overnight or for an hour before using.

Puff pastry recipe from Kitchen Unplugged

If you enjoyed this post, why not share it with your friends?

Print Page

Subscribe to Not Quite Nigella

Subscribe to Not Quite Nigella to receive daily updates via email. Just enter your email address and press Subscribe.

Posted in Cooking and Recipes, Pies & Tarts

58 Comments | Add your own

1. sara | June 10, 2009 at 7:04 am | #

Those apple tarts are seriously gorgeous! Yum. Makes me want one right now.
2. Sairis | June 10, 2009 at 7:13 am | #

Congrats on the move, and good luck with the renovations and such! I have no advice to offer, though.

If making puff pastry is reason to question mental health, I would have been in the loony bin a while ago. Aside from making Pierre Herme’s inverted puff pastry, I’ve tackled croissants at home twice.
I have an easier recipe for quick puff pastry that I use all the time. It’s from Hidemi Sugino’s dessert book (the one published in English) and it is amazing! Takes less time than the one you used and you won’t feel like you should be in a mental hospital for making it. =)
3. Barbara | June 10, 2009 at 7:17 am | #

Good luck with the move! Very daring to make your own puff pastry. The tarts look delicious!
4. Y | June 10, 2009 at 7:33 am | #

Those look yummy! Congrats and good luck with the move. Advice for renovating? Don’t! ;P
5. Jackie @ PhamFatale.com | June 10, 2009 at 7:38 am | #

I would have never thought of making individual tarts. This is a keeper. I’ll make it for my next dinner party!
6. Rosa | June 10, 2009 at 7:55 am | #

Wonderful tartlets and cookies! Nice pastry too… Yummy!

Cheers,

Rosa
7. Anita | June 10, 2009 at 8:04 am | #

Yum…. just the warm pastry dessert or snack I need at the moment. Good luck moving and renovating – I’ve just moved too, but have no tips on renovating, sorry. Hope you design yourself the perfect kitchen (mine is very small )
8. Betty | June 10, 2009 at 8:09 am | #

congrats on making puff pastry!! good luck with the move! how exciting for you!
9. Angela @ A Spoonful of Sugar | June 10, 2009 at 8:11 am | #

I thought you meant you were moving countries!! Congratulations on your first apartment, awesome news

Your puff pastry looks great—see, didn’t I tell you it would be easy? Love the idea of using a muffin tin for individual portions. Much safer for clumsy people like me…
10. Steph | June 10, 2009 at 8:12 am | #

Ooh congrats on getting your first apartment! How exciting. I’m so so impressed with your puff pastry, it looks amazing! Been craving tarte tatins since they were on masterchef, I had been thinking of doing something similar with a muffin tin but was too scared of making puff pastry. This doesn’t look too intimidating though
11. Liss | June 10, 2009 at 8:18 am | #

You are SO brave. I don’t think I have the a) inclination or moreso b) stamina for home-made puff pastry! Yes, I am ashamed.

They look fantastic, and I’m always looking for ways to use seasonal produce! (Just don’t tell my diet ok?) xx
12. Iron Chef Shellie | June 10, 2009 at 8:25 am | #

Yay for wallpaper Wednesday =D

Congratulation on the apartment! Hope you post pics of your new kitchen once it’s done =)

Awesome work on the puff pastry! The tarte tatins look delicious!

You can add me on facebook too
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/Iron-Chef-Shellie/31189110268?ref=ts
13. Paula | June 10, 2009 at 8:30 am | #

I’m not as brave as you to try my own puff pastry, but this tatin almost made me change my mind…
14. Blond Duck | June 10, 2009 at 8:42 am | #

I can’t comment about bathroom renvoations b/c I’m drooling over the apple tarte.
15. Sisko | June 10, 2009 at 8:43 am | #

Best of luck with you move and renovations! These apple tarte tatins look just fabulous, I hope they give you strength to tackle the tribulations, challenges and joys of the renovations.
16. romaverona | June 10, 2009 at 8:50 am | #

Best of luck with the move and the new apartment! The tart tartine look delicious
17. lisa (dandysugar) | June 10, 2009 at 9:00 am | #

Beautiful puff pastry! Really, I envy you, I’m always so nervous about making my own pastry. Fabulous little apple tart tatins!

Congrats on the new place and good luck with the move!
18. Johnny Green | June 10, 2009 at 9:04 am | #

I grew up over there too, when I wasn’t in boarding school! Back to the needles and dog poop eh – sad move – we’ll miss you in Godzone

JG
Neutral Bay
19. Yas | June 10, 2009 at 9:06 am | #

Wooo moving is exciting!! And man, I can’t even begin to imagine making my own pastry! LOL It looks absolutely golden yummy! Good luck with moving and renovation
20. Johnny Green | June 10, 2009 at 9:08 am | #

P.S. Love your work BTW – esp. the bit about Yum Cha staff. Very funny; sadly also true…
21. Matilda | June 10, 2009 at 9:13 am | #

How do you do it Lorraine? Making puff pastry, starting your own facebook, answering all your readers comments , moving houses and tackling renovations!! Ok, whatever you’re on, I want some LOL
22. Sophia | June 10, 2009 at 9:34 am | #

AAH! How exciting! you’re moving…I hope you get a big-ass gorgeous kitchen! haha, that’s the most important thing to me…I say get big windows in the kitchen for lots of natural sunlight! As for the bathrooms…a nice air-freshener. LOL.
And wow…making your own puff pastry…I got all ambitious a few years back and tried making it myself, but like you, sworn off it after wasting tons of good butter and shedding lots of frustrated tears. Oh no…now you’ve given me the urge to give it a try again!
The apple tarte tatins look absolutely gorgeous, by the way!
23. The Duo Dishes | June 10, 2009 at 9:46 am | #

Congrats on the move! Making puff pastry is not easy. Very impressive feat for sure.
24. jess | June 10, 2009 at 10:03 am | #

Congrats on getting your first apartment!

The tarte tatin looks amazing! I had my own attempt at tarte tatin once from Chocolate & Zucchini’s recipe. ..I didn’t realise just how hard making pastry was…didn’t look like she was struggling! It was nothing like the fluffy goodness you got in yours =(
25. Leela@SheSimmers | June 10, 2009 at 10:09 am | #

Gorgeous tarts, Lorraine. I’m afraid of puff pastry too, so seeing your success is quite an encouragement to me. But I have to agree with the other commenters — if I just started a Facebook page and am in the process of moving, I would be calling my pizza guy and making puff pastry from scratch would be the furthest thing from my mind. Brave girl!
26. justcooknyc | June 10, 2009 at 10:22 am | #

making puff pastry at home is definitely on my list of things to try
27. Gab* | June 10, 2009 at 10:47 am | #

I have added NQN on facebook.

I would love to try making puff pastry, my Mum thinks I’m mad. I might have to give it a go when I have a spare day!

Enjoy the renos – it’ll all be worth it in the end. We’re building at the moment, I think it might send me crazy!
28. Pam | June 10, 2009 at 10:52 am | #

Congratulations on making puff pastry. Haven’t made any for years but it is such a pleasure to do such homely things every now & then. Have “fun” with your renovations! We’ve been doing something to our house, on & off, for a number of years & it is always exciting when something new is created
29. Maria T | June 10, 2009 at 11:07 am | #

Yay! NQN on facebook is a very exciting move. Those tarts look amazing and would be so good on such a freezing day like today with a nice cup of tea. Good luck with the renovations. The eastern suburbs has much more exciting food than the north shore. Looking forward to even yummier reviews!
30. Brenda | June 10, 2009 at 11:32 am | #

Congrats on the new place and good luck with the renos.

I’ve been wondering if you had a facebook page….I’ve just added myself as a fan…love your recipes
31. Belle@OohLook | June 10, 2009 at 11:42 am | #

Those are really cute tarts! Though there’s no way I’d attempt to make my own pastry, moving house or not (Careme is a good butter pastry). Hope your kitchen reno goes well – any chance of a red glass splashback?
32. Cakelaw | June 10, 2009 at 12:27 pm | #

Congrats on your marvellous golden puff pastry – these look delicious.
33. Cakelaw | June 10, 2009 at 12:28 pm | #

Congratulations! These look golden and delicious.
34. Arwen from Hoglet K | June 10, 2009 at 1:18 pm | #

I must say I’m not looking forward to the quince and prawn heads, but your puff pastry looks wonderful. It’s puffed beautifully! Nice alliteration on Wallpaper Wednesdays
35. Kelly | June 10, 2009 at 1:58 pm | #

Paradise Kitchens out west in Wetherill Park have the cheapest benchtops around (and I did my research). I got laminate because we are going to rent out our flat however the stone benchtops were gorgeous and seriously good value.
36. anna | June 10, 2009 at 2:59 pm | #

They’re beautiful! Great job with the puff pastry! Good luck and congratulations on the move, too.
37. Alexandra | June 10, 2009 at 4:26 pm | #

the thought of making puff pastry terrifies me…maybe I should conquer that fear though!
38. Ja+Beansprout | June 10, 2009 at 5:52 pm | #

looks adorable ! I love tarte tatins… and think about making my own puff pastry at home.. it takes lots of effort.. but yeah.. when it turns out beautifully, worth it !

Is it difficult to take the tarts from the tin? you need the very big plate to turn it up side down in 1 time?

And about your new apartment.. wanna see after finishing deco
39. Panda | June 10, 2009 at 7:52 pm | #

these little apple tarte tatins are adorable and look yummy! as tedious as it is to roll your own puff pastry, it is worth it in the end!

look forward to seeing pics of your new apartment. my tips for you for the kitchen would be to have a big pantry and shelf space for cookbooks!
40. Esz | June 10, 2009 at 8:12 pm | #

Congratulations on buying the new apartment!

Well I can’t give you much info on renovating – all I know is that the kitchen and bathroom are the most expensive rooms, but also the ones that change your house the most when they’re nice looking. I know I couldn’t live with a cruddy old kitchen. You must show us progress as it happens!
41. Julia @ Mélanger | June 10, 2009 at 8:32 pm | #

Congratulations on the move. Sounds like fun. These tarts look amazing, too. I have some pies in the oven right now….getting hungry for dessert!
42. Not Quite Nigella | June 10, 2009 at 8:33 pm | #

Hi sara-Thankyou so much! If you were here I’d give you one!

Hi Sairis-Thankyou! Inverted puff? Wow, I’m quite far away from making that although it looks amazing! And croissants-very cool! I’ll have to keep an eye out for that recipe. I like the idea of making your own puff as it was so layered!

Hi Barbara-Thanks so much! I don’t know whether it was crazy or daring Thankyou!

Hi Y-thanks! Ha well not renovating is not an option, I like my kitchens and bathrooms looking of this century!

Hi Jackie-Great idea! And best part is that you can do them ahead of time!

Hi Rosa-Thankyou so much!

Hi Anita-I know, perfect for this weather! I had 3 in one go Thanks! Sadly mine isn’t huge-well it’s not tiny but not huge!

Hi Betty-Thankyou so much! I’m very excited indeed

Hi Angela-Hehe noooo! Although East would be New Zealand which is not a bad place to live Thankyou! I know I had your voice in my head honestly!

Hi Steph-Thankyou! It’s so exciting, I can’t believe we waited this long! I know, it prompted me to make it. I want to do a croquembouche too but I don’t have one of those big funnel things!

Hi Liss-Thanks! Crazy or brave I don’t know I felt the same way before honestly! Haha just one is ok though! xxx

Hi Iron Chef Shellie-Thanks! Haha perhaps I will! Thanks, will add you too!

Hi Paula-Hehe honestly I didn’t think it was possible but it was despite what I thought

Hi Blond Duck-Haha that’s ok!

Hi Sisko-Thankyou! Haha yes I think I’ll need it!

Hi romaverona-Thankyou so much, we’ll definitely need it Thanks!

Hi lisa-I was sooo nervous but so relieved when it rose in the end! Thankyou so much!

Hi Johnny-Haha I don’t think there are that many needles around where we’ll be! It will be different from Mosman though and I will miss the Lower North Shore Thanks so much! haha yes I’ve had so much rude Yum cha service

Hi Yas-Yes I only wish the renovations were done! I bet you would do a fabulous job! Thankyou so much!

Hi Matilda-haha that’s sweet of you to say but I think I must be insane or something Not recommended!

Hi Sophia-It’s not big ass unfortunately but it’s decent sized thankfully! I don’t know if I can change the window size though as it’s already built! Oh no, what went wrong do you think? How upsetting! Thankyou!

Hi The Duo Dishes-Thankyou very much!

Hi jess-thankyou! Hehe I bet she has done it a few times. I think I had a bit of beginner’s luck with mine!

Hi Leela-Thanks! If I can do it I’m sure you can too! Hehe I think I’m a glutton for work!

Hi justcooknyc-It’s surprisingly rewarding and it helps that it’s so much better than the bought stuff!

Hi Gab*-Awesome, thankyou! Oh no don’t listen to her. It’s so fluffy and layered and buttery. Ah you’re building, sounds like a challenge but a worthwhile one!

Hi Pam-thankyou! I agree, it’s not making things from scratch Thankyou so much! Yes I agree, my parents are always doing something and t’s interesting to see how they change things!

Hi Maria T-Thankyou so much! Oh yes it’s so cold-9.7 when I got up! Brrrr! Thankyou and I agree, there’s more variety in the East Thanks!

Hi Brenda-thankyou very much! Wonderful, thanks so much for joining!

Hi Belle-Thanks so much! Oh no, you can do it (said in that weird Arnold Schwarzenegger ad voice ). I’ve seen Careme and it looks good! Funny you say that- we were looking at a red one!

Hi Cakelaw-Thankyou so much!

Hi Arwen-haha I’ll do my best not to serve that up-for my own sake too! Thankyou!

Hi Kelly-Oh that’s great to know-thanks so much for letting me know! Great info!

Hi anna-Thankyou so much on all points!!

Hi Alexandra-definitely! It’s not as scary as it sounds-although I admit it does sound scary!

Hi Ja-Thankyou! Yes I agree totally They’re small so they’re easy to turn out Hehe perhaps I’ll put up some pics!

Hi Panda-Thankyou very much! It is so worth it. Oh yes I want a big pantry and drawers for my pots and pan!

Hi Esz-Thanks so much! Haha isn’t that the truth! I’m hoping it won’t take too long so that we can move in!
43. the projectivist | June 10, 2009 at 11:46 pm | #

yummy.
i could pop about 10 of those babies into my mouth right now.

what sort of advice are you looking for regards bathroom reno’s?
44. FFichiban | June 11, 2009 at 12:32 am | #

Oohh Congratz on the new place ^^! Hee hee all I say is get a BIIIGG kitchen XD

Yummm these look soo good!
45. ArtemisIII | June 11, 2009 at 12:50 am | #

That looks wonderful. I will need to make this soon.. delicious!
46. John | June 11, 2009 at 1:19 am | #

It looks very goods
I’ll definitely to come back to your blog again.
http://www.ahacook.com
47. grace | June 11, 2009 at 2:34 am | #

homemade puff pastry? CRAZY impressive. these tarts? dazzling. fabulous work, milady.
48. 5 Star Foodie | June 11, 2009 at 8:30 am | #

These are adorable and look so so delicious with homemade puff pastry! Good luck with the move, very exciting!
49. Soma | June 11, 2009 at 12:24 pm | #

My goodness you made pastry puffs yourself!! They look better than store bought. as much as i admire these, i would not dare to do this! with the apples they look very very pretty.
50. Sophie | June 11, 2009 at 5:17 pm | #

How lovely , Lorraine!!
Your puff pastry looks incrdible & the finished products look amazing & so beautiful!!

I hope that the move will be easy & I hope that you & your husband enjoy your new appartement!
51. Johanna | June 11, 2009 at 6:00 pm | #

good luck with moving house and renovations – what fun to have the kitchen you want!

and good on you for doing the puff pastry – I made it once in home economics and still am traumatised – it looks wonderful in those apple tarte tatins – have not seen them individual like that before but love them
52. Not Quite Nigella | June 11, 2009 at 9:04 pm | #

Hi the projectivist-I kind of did! Any sort of advice-anything to look out for or any good places to recommend!

Hi FFichiban-Thankyou so much! Haha the size of the kitchen is pretty fixed though Thanks!

Hi ArtemisIII-Thankyou so much!

Hi John-That’s great to hear!

Hi grace-I bet you could totally do it-plus add cinnamon to these tarts! Why thankyou!

Hi 5 Star Foodie-Thanks very much! It will be worth it-in the end

Hi Soma-I was buoyed by temporary insanity Thankyou! But I bet you totally could do it!

Hi Sophie-Aww thankyou, you are always so sweet!

Hi Johanna-Thankyou very much! Yes that’s the best thing, getting what you want in a kitchen Thankyou! Aww you poor thing!
53. nora@ffr | June 12, 2009 at 1:43 pm | #

Fantastic idea! These delightful little cookies look wonderful! sound very delish and most of all economical.. good luck with the move
54. foodie-central | June 12, 2009 at 6:49 pm | #

Good work on the puff pastry. The tarts look delicious. Also, congrats on getting your own place
55. Genevieve | June 19, 2009 at 5:01 pm | #

You didn’t just buy a flat in Waverley/Bronte did you?
56. Not Quite Nigella | June 20, 2009 at 10:12 am | #

Hi Nora-Hehe well they’re more tarts than cookies but thanks!

Hi foodie-central-Thankyou! I am very excited (about both )

Hi Genevieve-Ah no not there!
57. Shmii | October 2, 2009 at 9:35 pm | #

This looks so delicious! I’m really scared of trying out puff pastry but you make it sound a lot less scarier. Will definitely give this a try
Thanks!
58. Shmii | October 5, 2009 at 11:17 pm | #

Hi Lorraine! I made it! They puffed. How awesome. Pics on my blog
Thanks!