French Apple Tart

Ingredients for the Pastry Crust

• 1½ cups all purpose flour
• ¼ cup sugar
• A pinch of salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 large egg

Ingredients for the Apple Filling

• 5 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and cubed
• 3 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced, ¼ inch thick
• 6 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp freshly grated lemon zest
• ½ tsp cinnamon, divided
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided

Ingredients for the Glaze

• ½ cup apricot preserves
• 1 tbsp water

Directions

Pastry Crust:

1. Place the butter in a large mixing bowl and beat until softened.  Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Gradually add the egg and beat until just incorporated.
2. Add flour and salt, then mix just enough to form a ball. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about an hour.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12" diameter circle of uniform thickness and gently transfer to a 8"-9" tart pan with a removable bottom.  Lightly press into bottom and sides of the pan and roll rolling pin over top of pan to remove excess pastry.  Cover and allow to rest in refrigerator for 30 min.
4. Line tart pan with parchment paper, fill with pie weights or beans and bake in a preheated 400 deg oven for 20-25 min until the crust is lightly browned.
5. Remove the weights and parchment paper.  Cool the crust on a wire rack.

Apple Filling:

1. Heat a large skillet and melt 1 tbsp butter, then stir in 3 tbsp sugar, the lemon zest, and ¼ tsp cinnamon. Add the cubed apples and cook over medium heat until the apples are soft. Gently mash the apples and stir the mixture until most of the liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat and let cool.
2. Melt 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat and stir in the other 2 tbsp of sugar and ¼ tsp cinnamon. Add the sliced apples and gently stir until they begin to soften.  Set aside to cool.
3. Place the tart shell on a baking sheet and transfer the applesauce mixture into the tart shell.  Arrange the apple slices over the applesauce, and brush with 1 tbsp melted butter. Bake in an oven preheated to 350 deg F for 25-30 min, or until the apples are slightly browned and soft. Remove from oven and sprinkle the tart with 1 tbsp sugar, cover the edges of the tart with foil, and broil it for 3-5 min, until the edges of the apples are golden brown and crisp. Allow the tart to cool slightly.

Apricot Glaze:

1. Mix apricot preserves and water in a saucepan, bring to a boil and then pass through a strain to remove lumps.
2. Glaze the apple slices with warm apricot glaze.