Description
This Savory-Sweet Chèvre and Apple Tart with Fresh Thyme combines flaky puff pastry with the tartness of apples, creamy chèvre cheese, and aromatic fresh thyme. The apples are tossed with lemon zest and sugar to bring out their natural sweetness, balanced by the subtle tang of the cheese and a hint of apple butter, making this tart a perfect appetizer or light dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
Puff Pastry
- 1 sheet of homemade or store-bought puff pastry, thawed, preferably all-butter
Fruit & Flavorings
- 4 medium apples, cored and sliced 1/4-inch thick
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 4 tablespoons sugar, divided (preferably a large-grain sugar like turbinado)
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons apple butter or apricot jam
Cheese & Herbs
- 2 ounces chèvre, crumbled
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, plus several sprigs for garnish
Other
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it is ready for baking the tart later.
- Prepare Pastry: On a lightly floured sheet of parchment paper, roll out the cold, thawed puff pastry into a rough 15 x 12-inch rectangle. Trim any excess dough and patch up any holes, reserving leftover dough for future use.
- Toss Apples: In a small bowl, combine the sliced apples with lemon zest, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and a pinch of salt. Toss gently to evenly coat the apples with these flavorings.
- Assemble Tart: Transfer the dough and parchment to a large baking sheet. Spread the apple butter or apricot jam in the center of the dough, leaving a 2-inch border on all sides. Evenly scatter the crumbled chèvre and fresh thyme leaves over the apple butter. Arrange the apples in small clusters of 4 to 5 slices, alternating the direction to create a visually appealing pattern, while maintaining the 2-inch border.
- Fold Edges: Brush the exposed pastry border with the beaten egg wash. Fold the long sides of the dough upward, then fold the short sides, pressing to firmly crimp all folded edges together to create a rustic tart edge.
- Final Touches: Brush the crimped edges again with egg wash for a golden finish and sprinkle with the remaining sugar for added crunch and sweetness.
- Bake: Bake the tart in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the apples are softened with the filling bubbling around the edges. If the crust bubbles up in the center, gently press it down with a spatula or allow it to deflate as the tart cools.
- Cool and Serve: Let the tart cool on the baking sheet for about 20 minutes to set. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs before slicing and serving.
- Make Ahead & Reheat: This tart can be prepared a day in advance. To rewarm, place it in a 300°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes until heated through.
Notes
- Using all-butter puff pastry enhances the flavor and flakiness of the crust.
- Choose tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of flavors.
- The apple butter or apricot jam adds moisture and depth—feel free to experiment with other fruit preserves if desired.
- Crumbled chèvre can be replaced with other soft cheeses like ricotta or cream cheese for variety.
- Make sure to let the tart cool before slicing to ensure clean slices and prevent the filling from spilling.
- Leftover tart can be stored in the refrigerator and gently reheated before serving.