Easy Mini Caramel Apple Tarts with Puff Pastry Recipe
These Easy Mini Caramel Apple Tarts are perfect bite-sized treats featuring flaky puff pastry topped with tender spiced apple slices and drizzled with rich salted caramel sauce. Ready in under 45 minutes, they bring together classic autumn flavors in a simple, elegant dessert that’s sure to impress.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 mini tarts 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry
- 520 grams puff pastry, preferably all-butter, thawed (2 sheets)
Apple Filling
- 680 grams small baking apples (about 1 1/2 pounds)
- 76 grams dark brown sugar (1/3 cup)
- 60 grams unsalted butter, melted (1/4 cup)
- 10 grams cornstarch (1 tablespoon)
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of kosher salt
Other
- 1 egg
- Salted caramel sauce, for drizzling (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Puff Pastry: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and line two sheet pans with parchment paper. Gently roll the thawed puff pastry sheets to seal seams and then cut each sheet lengthwise into 2 strips, then each strip into 3 equal rectangles to yield 12 pieces approximately 4.5 by 3 inches each. Score a 1/4-inch border around each rectangle without cutting through, then dock the centers with a fork. Place on baking sheets about 2 inches apart and refrigerate.
- Prepare Apple Filling: Peel and core the small baking apples, then slice them thinly to about 1/8-inch thickness. Place the apple slices in a large bowl.
- Mix Filling Ingredients: Add dark brown sugar, melted butter, cornstarch, apple pie spice, cinnamon, and a pinch of kosher salt to the apples. Toss thoroughly so the apples are evenly coated and the cornstarch dissolves.
- Apply Egg Wash: Whisk one egg with 1 tablespoon of water until smooth. Brush the edges of the puff pastry rectangles with this egg wash to promote a golden finish.
- Assemble Tarts: Layer the apple slices in a shingled pattern down the center of each puff pastry rectangle, packing them generously. Spoon any leftover sugar-spice mixture over the apples for extra flavor.
- Bake Tartlets: Bake the tarts in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the puff pastry is a deep golden brown and the apples are tender.
- Finish and Serve: Allow the tartlets to cool slightly before drizzling them with salted caramel sauce. Serve warm optionally with ice cream or whipped cream for an indulgent treat.
Notes
- Use all-butter puff pastry for the flakiest, most flavorful crust.
- If you don’t have apple pie spice, a combination of ground nutmeg, allspice, and cloves works well.
- Make sure to dock the pastry center well to prevent excessive puffing.
- The apple slices should be thin and uniform to ensure even cooking.
- These tartlets are best served warm but also taste great at room temperature.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days; reheat gently before serving.
- Salted caramel drizzle can be homemade or store-bought — adjust quantity to taste.
Keywords: mini apple tarts, caramel apple tartlets, puff pastry dessert, easy apple tart recipe, fall desserts, spiced apple pastries
