Caramel Apple Pecan Tart: A Symphony of Autumn Flavors

Ingredients:

• For the Crust:
  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp sugar
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and diced
  • 3-4 tbsp ice water
• For the Filling:
  • 3 large apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
  • ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• For the Caramel Sauce:
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

Crust:

1. Prepare the Dough:
   • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and sugar.
   • Add butter and blend with a pastry cutter or fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
   • Gradually add ice water, stirring until the dough just begins to clump together.
   • Turn the dough out onto a work surface, form into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
2. Shape the Crust:
   • Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to fit your tart pan.
   • Press the dough into the pan and trim the edges. Refrigerate until ready to fill.

Filling:

3. Assemble the Tart:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Arrange apple slices in the chilled crust and sprinkle with chopped pecans, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
   • Bake for about 35-40 minutes until the apples are tender and the crust is golden.

Caramel Sauce:

4. Make the Caramel:
   • In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, heavy cream, butter, and salt.
   • Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and is smooth (about 5-7 minutes).
   • Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
5. Final Touches:
   • Pour the warm caramel sauce over the baked tart, allowing it to seep into the layers of apples and pecans.
   • Let the tart cool slightly before serving to allow the caramel to set.

Conclusion:

Serve this caramel apple pecan tart warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a truly decadent dessert experience. It’s a perfect treat that captures the cozy, comforting flavors of fall! 🍁🍎