January 23, 2011

Pie Day becomes Tart Day




Today,  January 23, is National Pie Day. It was created by the American Pie Council. The American Pie Celebration began in 1986 to commemorate Crisco's 75th anniversary of "serving foods to families everywhere." I had every intention of baking a mile-high pie today.  My time management skills were severely lacking today so a pie became a simple tart.

Once I realized that the pie was a no-go I quickly thawed out a couple of sheets of puff pastry.  I don't know why Pepperidge Farm doesn't package their pastry sheets in flat package because it is a total pain to unfold them, and they are always getting stuck together.  Out came the rolling pin and I quickly repaired the damage.  To make the little tarts I simply used a circle cutter and made 6 circles out of each sheet.  I placed then on a Silpat so that they would be not stick to the pan.


I then layered apples over the top in a circular pattern.  I decided to use a spice that I picked up in Australia called Mixed Spice.  It is a blend of cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg.  After sprinkling a little of the spice on each tart I put them in the oven for about 20 minutes.  The pastry puffs up and cooks to golden brown, and the apples soften slightly.  Once they came out of the oven I heated up a little marmalade in the microwave and brushed it over the top as a glaze.  You could also use apricot or pineapple preserves with similar results.


This is such a quick and easy dessert to make.  Little effort and big reward.  I topped it off with a scoop of Salted Caramel Ice Cream and we were all very happy campers.



Spiced Apple Tarts
(Printer Friendly Recipe)

Ingredients
  • 1 box of puff pastry (containing 2 sheets), thawed
  • 2 apples, peeled and quartered, and cut in thin slices
  • 2 teaspoons mixed spice (or cinnamon)
  • 2 tablespoons orange marmalade
Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Cut puff pastry sheets into 12 circles and place on baking sheets.
  3. Layer apples on pastry in a circular pattern.
  4. Sprinkle the tops of the tarts with a small amount of spice.
  5. Bake for approximately 20 minutes, until pastry is golden and apples are tender.
  6. Place marmalade in a bowl and heat for 20 seconds in the microwave.
  7. Brush marmalade over the tops of the apple tarts.
  8. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

33 comments:

  1. Looks tasty. I like the combination of cinnamon and apples. Thank you for sharing!

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  2. How beautiful tradition is this to celebrate Pie day :)
    Your apple tart look so stunning.

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  3. How lovely.. I like baked things with apples :) these tarts look really delicious and cute

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  4. Go the mixed spice! I forget that it isn't sold everywhere else.

    The tarts look gorgeous!

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  5. So simple, yet elegant! And a heck of a lot easier than pie...brilliant :)

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  6. Way to improvise! I totally missed out on pie day because I didn't even know about it until yesterday but then it was too late. Oh well, as far as I'm concerned every day is pie day!

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  7. when life hands you apples and time is short, make apple tarts!
    Hope you had a happy pie day!
    Dennis

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  8. This apple tart looks so tasty and delicious! I love the addition of orange marmalade too!

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  9. these look great - and so simple! trader joe's sells puff pastry in flat sheets if you have one by you...

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  10. I'm glad you found a way to save it - the tarts sounds great!

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  11. I think tarts are just as good as pies.. maybe even better :) Yours looks delicious!

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  12. Your pie tarts look so good, and easy. I'm glad that I live near a Trader Joe's to buy flat puff pastry sheets.

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  13. Wow that came together quickly and very nicely.

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  14. Great adaptation! These look so lovely, I wish we could send the smells of baking through the internet.

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  15. Oohh, Felice! what a wonderful, yet simple dessert. Yep, I have the same issue with the pastry, why not flat?? However! Looks like Trader Joe's listened! I got a flat package there over the holidays, a nice, flat square. You guys need a TJ's!!

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  16. i have the same problem with frozen puff pastry. so hard to unfold :(

    your apple tarts look so good. thanks for sharing.

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  17. These tarts look so good! I love puff pastry :).

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  18. I think this is a perfect alternative! I've asked myself many times, why aren't they flat. I hate that crease! Have a great week.
    -Gina-

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  19. Lovely tarts! They look delicious.

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  20. A simple but delicious recipe made even simplier by using puff pastry! Thanks for sharing and congrats on top 9!! Julie

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  21. My daughter and I make something similar and they are delicious. I like the addition of the mixed spice..maybe like pumpkin pie spice..that would be great!! Congrats on being selected Food Buzz Top 9!! Well deserved!!

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  22. pie or tart this just looks fantastic! Congrats on the top 9!

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  23. Congrats on making top 9! I agree that tart day sounds even better!

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  24. I saw you on the top 9 and I had to give a shout-out to a fellow KAMA'AINA! The Booze Hound and I moved to Knoxville from good old Honolulu, so anything from the Pacific tugs at our heartstrings :) Love your blog, love this post!

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  25. Simple and delicious! Hey, thanks for visiting my blog. Congrats on getting top 9!

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  26. Creative,beautiful and looks so tasty!

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  27. What cute little apple tarts! These sound delicious :)!

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