Mary Berry Apple Tarte Tatin

Mary Berry Apple Tarte Tatin

The first time I tried making tarte Tatin, I burned the caramel so badly I had to soak the pan overnight and throw out the apples. I didnโ€™t realise how fast sugar goes from golden to bitter black sludge. But the smell of that bubbling sugar stuck with meโ€”in a good wayโ€”so I gave it another shot with Maryโ€™s version.

What surprised me most wasnโ€™t just how easy it actually was (once I stopped overthinking it), but how smart her method is. A layer of buttery pastry on top, sharp Bramley apple purรฉe under sweet slices, and that shiny, dark golden base that becomes the top once flipped. Itโ€™s half pudding, half tart, and full magic. Let me show you how I got it rightโ€”and why this now lives in my โ€œlooks fancy, uses fridge basicsโ€ folder.

WHAT MAKES THIS RECIPE SPECIAL

Most tarte Tatins are fussy: homemade pastry, apples that collapse, or caramel thatโ€™s too thick to pour. Maryโ€™s skips the stress:

  • Pre-made puff pastry means no faffโ€”but you still get the flake and lift.
  • Double apple layerโ€”sliced on top, purรฉe underneathโ€”gives amazing texture and depth.
  • Water caramelโ€”much easier to control than dry sugar. You get more time to catch it before it burns.

INGREDIENTS + WHY THEY MATTER

  • Granulated Sugar (175g) โ€“ Used for the caramel. Donโ€™t stir once it starts bubbling or it can crystallise.
  • Bramley Apples (200g diced) โ€“ Cook down easily into a tangy purรฉe. Balances the sweet caramel.
  • Caster Sugar (2 tbsp) โ€“ Sweetens the purรฉe slightly.
  • Eating Apples (4 large) โ€“ Hold their shape when baked. I use Braeburn or Jazz.
  • All-Butter Puff Pastry (375g block or ready-rolled) โ€“ Gives a golden, crisp top (which becomes the base). Cold is key.
  • Plain Flour (for dusting) โ€“ Just enough to stop the pastry sticking.
  • Butter (for greasing) โ€“ Used after the caramel has set, not before.

MAKING IT YOURS (WITHOUT RUINING IT)

  • No Bramley? Granny Smiths can work for purรฉe, but avoid really sweet varietiesโ€”theyโ€™ll make it cloying.
  • Fancy a twist? Add a pinch of cinnamon or star anise to the purรฉe while it cooks.
  • Vegan option? Use vegan puff pastry and swap the caramel for a plant-based version with margarine and sugar. Still works!

MISTAKES Iโ€™VE MADE (AND HOW TO AVOID THEM)

WHAT WENT WRONGWHY IT HAPPENSHOW TO FIX IT
Caramel turned bitterCooked too long or got distractedWatch it like a hawkโ€”remove at straw-gold
Apples sank or collapsedSliced too thin5mm thick slices hold shape better
Pastry puffed unevenlyDidnโ€™t press it down properlyTuck in edges well and prick the centre
Tart stuck in the tinDidnโ€™t let it cool before flippingRest 30 mins so caramel sets slightly

HOW TO MAKE MARY BERRYโ€™S APPLE TARTE TATIN

Make the Caramel
Put 175g granulated sugar and 6 tbsp water in a stainless steel saucepan. Stir gently over low heat until dissolved. Increase heat to high. Boil without stirring until golden straw-coloured (watch it closely). Pour into a 23cm fixed-base cake tin. Tilt gently to coat the base. Let cool 30 minutes.

Make the Apple Purรฉe
In a pan, add diced Bramley apples, 2 tbsp caster sugar, and 2 tbsp water. Cover and simmer 5โ€“10 mins until soft. Mash into a purรฉe and let cool completely.

Preheat Oven
220ยฐC / 200ยฐC fan / Gas 7.

Layer the Apples
Peel, core and slice the eating apples into 5mm slices. Arrange neatly over the cooled caramelโ€”start from the outer edge and work inwards. Press down gently, then spoon the cooled purรฉe evenly on top.

Add the Puff Pastry
Roll pastry out on a lightly floured surface to a circle 2โ€“3cm larger than your tin. Drape it over the apples. Tuck the edges down around the fruit. Cut a small cross in the centre to release steam.

Bake
Place on a baking sheet (to catch drips). Bake 35โ€“40 mins until pastry is golden and crisp.

Cool and Flip
Let the tart rest for at least 30 minutes. Then run a knife around the edge and carefully flip onto a serving plate.

TIPS FROM MY KITCHEN

  • I always use a fixed-base tin, never loose-bottomedโ€”caramel will leak out and burn.
  • I cool the caramel fully before layering fruitโ€”it helps the apples stay in place.
  • My apples slice best when I use a mandolineโ€”but only if Iโ€™m feeling brave.
  • If the tart sticks slightly when flipping, warm the base over a low flame for 10 seconds to loosen it.

STORAGE + SERVING

Fridge: Keeps for up to 2 days, covered. Best at room temperature.
Freezer: Cool fully, wrap tightly, freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in fridge overnight.
Reheat: Oven at 160ยฐC for 10โ€“15 mins to crisp the pastry again.
Serve with: Crรจme fraรฎche, Greek yoghurt, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
Yesโ€”bake it earlier in the day, and flip before serving. Reheat gently if needed.

Q: Can I use ready-rolled puff pastry?
Definitely. Just trim to size and keep it chilled until the last minute.

Q: What apples work best?
Braeburn, Pink Lady, or Jazz. Avoid soft ones like Golden Deliciousโ€”they go mushy.

Q: How do I stop the caramel from seizing?
Add water at the start and donโ€™t stir once it starts boiling. Swirl gently instead.

Try More Recipes:

Mary Berry Apple Tarte Tatin

Course: DessertsCuisine: FrenchDifficulty: Easy
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

20

minutes
Cooking time

40

minutes
Calories

210

kcal

Buttery, flaky pastry sits on top of caramelised apples and soft Bramley purรฉeโ€”until you flip it. Then it becomes a golden, glossy French classic that looks harder than it is. Serve it warm and be smug.

Ingredients

  • 175g granulated sugar

  • Butter (for greasing, after caramel)

  • 200g Bramley apples, diced (for purรฉe)

  • 2 tbsp caster sugar

  • 4 large eating apples

  • Plain flour (for dusting)

  • 375g all-butter puff pastry (block or ready-rolled)

Directions

  • Make caramel: Combine sugar + water, boil until straw-gold. Pour into cake tin and cool 30 mins.
  • Make purรฉe: Simmer Bramley apples + caster sugar + water until soft. Mash and cool.
  • Slice apples 5mm thick. Arrange over cooled caramel.
  • Spread cooled purรฉe over apple slices.
  • Roll pastry to a round 2โ€“3cm larger than tin. Drape over fruit. Tuck in edges. Cut a small cross in the centre.
  • Bake 35โ€“40 mins at 220ยฐC/200ยฐC fan.
  • Cool for 30 mins, then flip onto serving plate.

Notes

  • I always let the caramel cool before layering the applesโ€”stops them sliding around.
  • Donโ€™t skip the purรฉeโ€”it gives depth and moisture without soaking the pastry.
  • Ready-rolled puff works great, but keep it cold for best rise.
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