Mini Apple & Browned Butter Tarts

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Mini Apple & Browned Butter Tarts are a bite-sized version of autumn’s best flavors. The combination of browned butter with apples creates an incredibly rich and nutty taste, which pairs perfectly with the crisp, buttery crust. Each tart is packed with tender spiced apples, making it a delicious treat for any occasion. Their individual size makes them perfect for serving guests at parties or as a sweet end to a meal. Plus, the tarts can easily be made ahead of time, making them both convenient and impressive.

Ingredients

For the crust:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into cubes
• 3-4 tablespoons ice water

For the filling:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 medium apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• Pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

For the crust:

1. In a food processor, pulse the flour and salt together.
2. Add the chilled butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Slowly add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, pulsing until the dough comes together. You may not need all the water.
4. Turn the dough onto a floured surface, shape it into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

For the filling:

1. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue cooking the butter, swirling the pan occasionally, until it turns golden brown and smells nutty (about 5-7 minutes). Be careful not to burn it.
2. Add the sliced apples to the browned butter and cook for 3-5 minutes, until the apples soften slightly.
3. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, salt, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Cook for another 3-5 minutes, allowing the apples to absorb the spices and sugar and become tender.
4. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Assembling the tarts:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out circles large enough to fit into a muffin tin (about 3 inches in diameter).
3. Gently press the dough circles into the muffin tin, making sure the sides and bottoms are covered. Prick the bottoms with a fork a few times to prevent the crust from puffing up.
4. Spoon the cooled apple mixture into each tart shell, filling them generously.
5. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the crusts are golden and the apples are tender and bubbling.
6. Let the tarts cool slightly before removing them from the muffin tin.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 8-10 mini tarts
• Prep time: 25 minutes
• Cook time: 25-30 minutes
• Total time: 1 hour (including chilling time for the dough)

Variations

• Add nuts: For an extra crunch, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the apple filling before baking.
• Use a different fruit: While apples are the star, pears or even figs would work wonderfully with browned butter.
• Add a caramel drizzle: Once baked, drizzle these tarts with homemade or store-bought caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
• Vegan version: Use dairy-free butter and a plant-based milk for the crust to make these tarts vegan-friendly.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store leftover tarts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 5 days.
• Reheating: To reheat, place the tarts in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until warmed through.

FAQs

1. Can I make these tarts ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the tarts ahead of time. Assemble them and store them in the fridge for up to a day before baking. You can also make the dough and filling separately and assemble just before baking.

2. Can I use store-bought pie dough?

Yes, you can use store-bought pie dough for convenience, but homemade crust will give the tarts a much flakier texture.

3. Can I use a different type of apple?

Yes, you can use other apple varieties like Fuji, Gala, or Braeburn, but firmer apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp hold up better during baking.

4. Can I freeze these mini tarts?

Yes, these tarts freeze well. After baking, let them cool completely and freeze them in an airtight container. To serve, thaw them in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven.

5. How do I make sure the crust isn’t soggy?

Pricking the crust with a fork before adding the filling helps prevent it from puffing up, and pre-baking the crust for a few minutes before adding the apple filling can help keep it crisp.

6. Can I use a different fat for the crust?

Yes, you can substitute the butter in the crust with vegan butter, shortening, or even coconut oil for a different flavor or to make it dairy-free.

7. How can I make the tarts extra sweet?

If you prefer a sweeter tart, you can increase the amount of brown sugar in the filling or drizzle them with caramel sauce after baking.

8. Can I make larger tarts?

You can make larger tarts using a regular tart pan. Just adjust the baking time accordingly, as larger tarts may need a few extra minutes in the oven.

9. Can I add a streusel topping?

Yes! If you like a crunchy topping, you can add a streusel mixture (butter, sugar, flour, and oats) over the apples before baking.

10. Can I use frozen apples for the filling?

Frozen apples may release more liquid during cooking, but you can use them if fresh apples aren’t available. Just be sure to cook them down properly to avoid excess moisture in the filling.

Conclusion

Mini Apple & Browned Butter Tarts are a delightful dessert that combines the warmth of spiced apples with the richness of browned butter and a buttery, flaky crust. These individual tarts are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a fall gathering, holiday celebration, or just a cozy treat. Their unique flavor and adorable presentation are sure to impress, and with a few simple ingredients, you can create an indulgent dessert that everyone will love. Enjoy these tarts fresh from the oven or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly decadent experience!

Mini Apple & Browned Butter Tarts

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Mini Apple & Browned Butter Tarts are individual tarts with a buttery, flaky crust, sweet spiced apples, and a rich, nutty browned butter filling, perfect for any occasion.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour (including chilling time for the dough)
• Yield: 8-10 mini tarts
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

1. 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
   
   1/4 teaspoon salt
   
   1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into cubes
   
   3–4 tablespoons ice water
   
   1/2 cup unsalted butter (for filling)
   
   2 medium apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
   
   1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
   
   1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
   
   1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
   
   1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
   
   Pinch of salt
   
   1 teaspoon vanilla extract
   
   1 tablespoon lemon juice

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Instructions

For the crust: In a food processor, pulse the flour and salt together. Add the chilled butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Slowly add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, pulsing until the dough comes together. Turn the dough onto a floured surface, shape it into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

1. For the filling: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue cooking the butter, swirling the pan occasionally, until it turns golden brown and smells nutty (about 5-7 minutes). Add the sliced apples and cook for 3-5 minutes, until the apples soften slightly. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, salt, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Cook for another 3-5 minutes, until the apples are tender and coated with the syrup. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
2. Assembling the tarts: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out circles large enough to fit into a muffin tin (about 3 inches in diameter). Gently press the dough circles into the muffin tin, making sure the sides and bottoms are covered. Prick the bottoms with a fork a few times to prevent the crust from puffing up. Spoon the cooled apple mixture into each tart shell, filling them generously. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the crusts are golden and the apples are tender and bubbling. Let the tarts cool slightly before removing them from the muffin tin.

Notes

1. For extra crunch, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the apple filling before baking.
2. While apples are the main fruit, pears or figs would work wonderfully with browned butter.
3. For a sweeter treat, drizzle the tarts with caramel sauce after baking.
4. To make these tarts vegan, substitute dairy-free butter in the crust and filling.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 tart
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 100mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg