Brown Butter Apple Tart. The perfect balance of sweet and tart, using two kinds of apples and a hint of cinnamon, this Brown Butter Apple Tart is elegant and delicious and would make a great addition to your Thanksgiving Day dessert table!
There’s something magical about baking pies and tarts in November. For me, they go hand in hand. Pumpkin pie seems to get all the love so today, I’m sharing a Brown Butter Apple Tart .. because I had these ..
And because, brown butter . . oh yeah. . and yes, that’s a vanilla bean.
I love making homemade pie crust. There’s something about combining the flour, sugar, salt, butter and ice cold water, and watching everything come together. It’s beautiful.
And I obviously can’t use just any old flour. The flour and butter are the most important ingredients in my mind. So, I used my enriched all purpose wheat flour from White Lily, it’s one of White Lily’s new Premium Flour Blends.
If you’re from the South, you know White Lily flour. If you’ve baked biscuits, like real Southern biscuits, you’ve heard of White Lily. White Lily is more than just a flour brand, it’s “a Southern institution” and has been around since 1883.
White Lily has teamed up with Shepherd’s Grain® farmers to bring you their first line of premium, Non-GMO Project® Verified flour blends with traceable wheat grown right here in the United States. First, you select your flour. Then enter the code from the back of your flour into the box below to trace the wheat, meet the farmers, and learn more about where the wheat in your bag of flour was grown. I love absolutely this!
So, you can find out where the wheat was grown and it’s delicious!
I’ve been crimping pie crust for what feels like a week . . it’s been my forever nemesis. . . but I’m working on it. Practice, practice, practice!
I absolutely loved this tart. The brown butter adds such a lovely nutty flavor that goes amazingly well with the apples and cinnamon!! And I used granny smith + honeycrisp apples! This tart is not overly sweet and is the perfect balance of sweet, with a little tart.
I hope you check out White Lily flour and bake this apple tart! This would make a great addition to your Thanksgiving Day dessert table!
And be sure to check out the giveaway so you can win the entire line of White Lily’s new Premium Flour Blends!
Brown Butter Apple Tart
Ingredients
For the pastry crust:
- 1 1/2 cups White Lily all purpose wheat flour or all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
- pinch of salt
- 1 stick very cold unsalted butter cut into small pieces
- 1/3 cup very cold ice water + more if needed
For the tart:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 vanilla bean halved and scraped of its seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large Granny Smith apple peeled and cut into thin slices
- 2 large Honey crisp apples peeled and cut into thin slices
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 1/2 vanilla bean halved and scraped of its seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons turbinado sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
For the pastry crust:
- Using a food processor, combine the flour with the sugar, salt and butter and process for about 5 seconds. Sprinkle the ice water over the flour mixture and process until the pastry just begins to come together, for about 10 to 15 seconds and resembles coarse, wet sand. Transfer the pastry dough to a lightly floured work surface, gather it together and pat into a round ball or disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Take the dough out of the refrigerator about 10 to 20 minutes before rolling out.
For the tart:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Using a small stainless steel saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, swirling the pan occasionally, until the butter is golden brown and fragrant, about 8 minutes. (The butter should be golden brown. Some foam will subside and the milk solids at the bottom of the pan will be toasty brown. It will smell intensely buttery and nutty.) It should not smell burnt.
- Remove from the heat. Let cool for a bit and whisk in a vanilla bean and the vanilla extract. Set aside.
- Roll out your pastry dough into about a 12-inch round. Transfer to pie plate and let the edges hang over. Cut off the excess pastry dough around the edge of the pie plate and crimp the edges all around. Alternatively, you can use a fork to press in all around the pastry dough edges as well. Prick the pastry dough with a fork, all over the bottom and edges. Add pie weights and bake the pastry crust for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until just slightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool.
- Once cooled, arrange the apple slices into the tart, making a circle with the apples and having them overlap. I used the granny smith apples for the outer edge but you can arrange however you like! Continue with more apples until the tart is full. Repeat with a second layer of apples on top. Brush the apples and crust with the brown butter vanilla mixture, discarding the vanilla bean. Combine the turbinado sugar with the cinnamon and sprinkle over the top.
- Bake the tart until apples are golden brown and the filling is slightly bubbling, for about 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool. Serve warm and enjoy!
Recipe adapted from Food 52.
The Giveaway!!
This giveaway is CLOSED.
We’re giving away the entire line of White Lily’s new Premium Flour Blends, plus everything you see above! These flours are truly great and I can’t wait for you to try them! One reader will win! Good luck! Brown Butter Apple Tart + A Giveaway!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in partnership with White Lily Flour. All opinions expressed here are my own.
I make homemade pizza dough on a regular basis and I enjoy experimenting with ingredients. Perfection is always just around the corner.
I would love to win this wonderful gift, because I have not seen this flour in our local grocery stores so I have not the opportunity to work with it in any recipe. So, I would love to create some new and exciting dish for Thanksgiving using this Premium Flour Blend by While Lily!
Thanksgiving this year I’m going very 1950s, very traditional: Roasted Turkey, Fluffy Mashed Potatoes (mashed with my Dreamfarm Smood – https://dreamfarm.com/us/smood/ – I love that thing), Mashed Sweet Potatoes that are then Baked with Marshmallows, Green Beans with Olive Oil and Shallots, Brussells Sprouts with Walnuts, Louisiana Dirty Rice, Lovely Southern Style Biscuits, Massive Arugula Salad with Goat’s Cheese and Beets, Homemade Ice Cream (Vanilla, Chcoclate and Peach – already made!), Pumpkin Pie and Apple Pie ~ enough for an army!
I usually make turkey and the fixin’s but this year I’m making reservations!
There’s just something so truly magical about brown butter. It tastes like heaven and I love that you’ve incorporated it into this amazing apple tart! Making pie crust from scratch is so therapeutic and especially its flaky texture after it has been baked! This tart look ABSOLUTELY stunning!
Boy, this has been a week for browned butter…I see it everywhere and I am loving it! This pie is gorgeous. I love the idea of using two different apples. And your crimping skills are quite impressive! Thanks for sharing, my friend! Love it!
I woul love to win, I really want to try the flour.
I also love making homemade pie crusts Alice! I love the everything about it.. oh and the smell!
This apple tart looks so good and the brown butter addition is genius!!
ps. your pie crust came out beautifully!
You love making pie crust? Alice, it’s all yours! I mean, I can do it, but I don’t love it. Your crimping skills are really on point!
And I totally hear you about getting into that pie-baking groove. It’s such a great time of year to stand in the kitchen putting apples and pumpkin and pecan and whatever in to pie crust. It’s pretty peaceful!
Oh wow!! The apple tart looks amazing!
Oh I totally know White Lily…I grew up in the South, and that flour is iconic down there. (Thanks for making me miss the South, Alice…geez!) Just kidding! Seriously, though, this tart looks amazing, and your crimping practice has sure paid off. I’m loving this one! And for Thanksgiving? I’m sure there will be some new twist, but there will always, always, always be a delicious pecan pie on the table!
I will be making baked ham, turkey, pecan pie, broccoli casserole, collard greens, and stuffing.
To this day, my grandma still swears by White Lily! Gorgeous tart Alice.
This looks so good! The flours would be perfect for a Thanksgiving pie!
November seems all about baking pies and tarts and that makes me very happy, especially when it is a buttery apple version. Apples at this time of year are just perfect!
We are brown butter twinning today, Alice! Except your use of it looks 500 times better (why am I not surprised?) I LOOOOVE that you make an apple tart! I’ll be honest, I am not the biggest fan of pumpkin pie…its texture is too goopey for my liking. BUT an APPLE tart?? Yaaahhhss! Love this, girlfriend! All the flavors just sound amazing! LOVE that you used both granny smith AND honeycrisp apples! With the cinnamon, brown butter and (white lily) homemade pie crust? OMG, hand me a very large fork and get outta my way! Pinned! Cheers!
This tart is gorgeous, Alice! I love the browned butter in here. Such a perfect (and delicious) touch!
Wonderful tart idea!
Nothing beats homemade pie crust but I’m with you, the crimping part is not my best friend. I think yours looks gorgeous, though! Love the brown butter and vanilla bean apple filling!
I plan on making a pecan pie! I never made one before
For Thanksgivings I am making pumpkin, apple and pecan pies.
Every Thanksgiving, I make a full traditional dinner for just my spouse and me. Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, dressing, cranberry sauce, butternut squash, and dessert. Good thing we like leftovers! And I’d love to win this prize because I’ve heard so much about White Lily, but as a Northern baker, I’ve never had the chance to try their products.
Your crimp is beautiful! Love White Lily and love this beautiful tart too 🙂
Ok, so I am no stranger to browned butter (just gimme it ALL!), but the vanilla mixed in with it is just pure genius. I can’t wait to try that little trick on all sort of things. Bet it would be awesome on squash too! Gorgeous pie, Alice! XO
I’d use this for my pecan pie!
I have never tried White Lilly flour, but have heard so many great things about it
I have just been looking at recipes and I think I will make a maple pumpkin cheesecake and apple salted caramel pie.
Oh Alice your crust looks heavenly – and love your twist on apple pie! I used to use White Lilly before – my daughter and I used to make bread with it, but I haven’t these past couple of years. I need to see if they have a gluten free blend – maybe then I’d use that to make a chocolate pecan tart – my daughters fav!
I’m making the whole meal!
I will be making pies.
I will be doing a lasagna this year. We run the annual Turkey Trot 5K in the morning as a family and by the time we get home its too late to start a tradition Thanksgiving dinner. I make the lasagna up a day in advance and toss it in the oven when we get home, easy peasy!
YES…brown butter, apples, and vanilla bean! This is one delicious combination and would be such a great holiday dessert! You did such a beautiful job on this, Alice!
I keep running into recipes that use White Lily flour, and I’ve never used it. I’ll definitely have to look for it. This is such a lovely tart!
I’m planning to make either Brussels sprouts or a dessert dish.
As I do everything Thanksgiving I am making turkey and all fixings from scratch just the way my hubby likes it. I love cooking and baking for my family.
Thanksgiving is at my house this year… I could definitely use this flour for the rolls, pies and sweet potato souflee topping.
What a heavenly tart, you can never go wrong with brown butter and apples!
Use this for pumpkin pie! yum!
Pumpkin and toll house pie!
Tofu turkey and dressing and chocolate pecan pie
I am alway responsible for the vegetables and side dishes for Thanksgiving. I’d love to use this flour to make some biscuits to go along side my roasted balsamic asparagus, pineapple molasses smashed sweet potatoes, and salad.
i am making a apple pie cocont cake
Im making my first ever apple pie for Thanksgiving for the whole family and I would love to use these great flours! I’m a little nervous about making the pie, but your recipe sounds great and perfect! I’m also excited! Thanks!!
Oh, Alice this apple tart is GORGEOUS! I never would have thought about using brown butter, but what a wonderful nutty flavor it must impart! And kudos to you on the pie crust – I have epically bad stories about making my own pie dough 😉
I have no idea what I’m making yet, eek!! Probably a pumpkin cheesecake – mmmm.
I would love to try this flour. I’m born and raised in the PNW, so I’ve never heard of White Lily.
I totally feel you on the November baking. I feel like once Halloween ends I’m all inspired to start making amazing Thanksgiving and Christmas foods. This tart is totally making my mouth-water!
I’m a huge pie lover myself! Yours looks so rustic and beautiful.
I love that White Lily Self-Rising flour is blended with leavening and salt which is ideal for making light, flaky biscuits and pastries, my favorite things to cook the most.
Brown butter makes everything so much more delicious! I love the rustic simplicity of this apple tart. I need to get my hands on this flour. It sounds amazing!
Rustic and so beautiful. I wish I was having it with my coffee this very minute….
Not exactly sure what we’re doing just yet, but I’ll be helping my mom in the kitchen.
THis is a total stunner Alice! I actually don’t know if I’ve ever crimped a pie crust… (hangs head in shame). Clearly I need to make more pie! Maybe I should start with this one 🙂
While my husband roasts the turkey I’ll be making the rest! I like to make my pies the day before, so they have time to set up before serving. Plus It’s one less thing to do on the busy day! I’ve always wanted to try White Lily flour, awesome give away! And fantastic Apple Tart!
We will roast a turkey on thanksgiving and I will me making a pumpkin pie and other desserts for kids. Would love to win this to help me in my thanksgiving dinner preparations
This is the first year I will be making Thanksgiving dinner at my house by myself, I would love to win this because I want to make an apple and cherry pie!
This year I’ll be making cornbread and roasted vegetables! Love the look of the apple tart.
I am making the stuffing and apple pie for Thanksgiving.
I will be making ham and turkey. 🙂
I would love to bake something from scratch, which is why it would be awesome to win this prize pack!
Breads, cakes, there will be turkey and all the fixings!
That looks absolutely delicious. Funny you ask because I was planning on making a huge dinner and also a fresh apple galette with cinnamon whipped cream!
I am thankful for family.
I love to make homemade rolls & bread which takes A LOT of flour!
I plan on making festive cookies.
For thanksgiving I will be making Turkey, stuffing, green beans, broccoli casserole, cranberries and a couple of different desserts like pumpkin pie, pecan pie and cookies!
I typically make three pies for Thanksgiving – apple, cherry and pecan. Always with homemade crusts. I’d love to try this flour!
I will be baking several pies for the holidays and love trying new brands.
I’m always chosen as the Queen of baked goods 🙂 so this would come in very handy.
How do you get your pie crust so perfect?! Gorgeous tart 🙂
I will be making my pecan pies for Thanksgiving, I have a recipe that’s just a little bit different and I don’t usually brag but it is the best pecan pie.
This looks fab (nice pin-wheeling, lady!), and a firm contender for thanksgiving dessert!! I also have a salted caramel chocolate tart that I’ve been wanting to bake…!
This looks so yum, apples are my favourite thing around this time of year, you can do almost anything with them!
Please check out my first ever blog post, i’m new to this whole blogging thing, but i’m eager to get stuck in.
I’m Liv and it’s nice to meet you all 🙂
I am a bread machine junkie! I would use the flour to experiment in my bread maker.
I would use the flour to make home made rolls and breads for Thanksgiving
I’m making pumpkin rolls!
This is absolutely gorgeous!! Oh my, all that brown butter. DYING!
I want to get my daughter involved with baking and I would love to try out these different flours with her!
I will be making a vegan pumpkin pie, silk chocolate pie, lots of sides and turkey for the family.