Tarte al'Omain
Ardennes Apple Tart
A rustic and comforting tart from the Ardennes region, Tarte al'Omain features a simple, buttery crust filled with sweet, spiced apples. It's often served as a dessert or a hearty snack.

๐ง Ingredients
- 250 g All-purpose flour(for the crust)
- 125 g Unsalted butter(cold, cubed, for the crust)
- 50 g Granulated sugar(for the crust)
- 1 Egg yolk(for the crust)
- 2-3 tbsp Ice water(for the crust)
- 1 kg Apples(firm, tart varieties like Jonagold or Reinette, peeled, cored, and sliced)
- 100 g Brown sugar(for the filling)
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 0.5 tsp Nutmeg(ground)
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 30 g Butter(cubed, for topping)
- 1 Egg white(lightly beaten, for brushing crust)
๐จโ๐ณ Instructions
- 1
For the crust: In a bowl, combine flour and sugar. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
๐ก Tip: Keep ingredients cold for a flaky crust. - 2
Whisk the egg yolk with 2 tbsp ice water. Gradually add to the flour mixture, mixing until the dough just comes together. Add more water if needed, 1 tsp at a time.
๐ก Tip: Do not overwork the dough. - 3
Gather the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
โฑ๏ธ 30 minutes - 4
Preheat oven to 190ยฐC (375ยฐF).
โฑ๏ธ 15 minutes - 5
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to fit a 23-25 cm (9-10 inch) tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough into the pan and trim any excess.
โฑ๏ธ 5 minutes - 6
In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice.
๐ก Tip: Ensure apples are evenly coated. - 7
Arrange the apple mixture evenly over the tart crust. Dot the top with the cubed butter.
โฑ๏ธ 5 minutes - 8
Brush the edges of the crust with the lightly beaten egg white.
๐ก Tip: This helps the crust brown nicely. - 9
Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender and caramelized.
โฑ๏ธ 45 minutes๐ก Tip: If the crust starts to brown too quickly, cover the edges with foil. - 10
Let the tart cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before removing the sides. Serve warm or at room temperature.
โฑ๏ธ 15 minutes
๐ก Pro Tips
- โUse a mix of apple varieties for a more complex flavor.
- โServe with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- โThis tart is also delicious the next day, perhaps gently reheated.
โจ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a tablespoon of Calvados (apple brandy) to the apple filling for an extra layer of flavor.
- Sprinkle some chopped almonds or walnuts over the apples before baking.