Apple Honey and Thyme Tarts

Flaky golden pastry, soft apple and sweet, sticky honey, these Apple Honey and Thyme Tarts are simple to make and an absolute pleasure to eat. Using only five ingredients, they can be on your table in 30 minutes, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or tangy crème fraîche.

Having spent hours preparing a meal, dessert can often be overlooked in favour of defrosting some sort of pudding and serving it up with a scoop of ice cream. Personally, I'm much more of a cook than a baker, and I tend to put far more time and energy into the savoury offerings, rather than the sweet. But dessert should never be an afterthought! Finishing off a meal on the same high as the rest of the menu is the way in which I would like to wrap up any dinner party, and so my quest for easy to make but delicious sweets is one that is never-ending. So here is a winner for you: Apple Honey and Thyme Tarts.

Inspiration from a classic

At the heart of these tarts lies the inspiration drawn from the classic French dessert, Tarte Tatin. Legend has it that this upside-down apple tart was born from a kitchen mishap at the Tatin sisters' hotel in France. In a rush, the sisters mistakenly baked their apple tart with the pastry on top. And voila, Tarte Tatin was born! This happy accident has since become a culinary classic, celebrated for its luscious caramelisation and the irresistible allure of baked apples.

The flavours and textures of apples, sugar and pastry is much loved, and rightly so. If you're not able to spend time peeling and caramelising apples in a pan, but want a similar dessert with less hands-on time then these Apple Honey and Thyme Tarts are for you.

A flavourful trio

The key to these Apple, Honey, and Thyme Tarts is the perfect balance of flavours. The sweetness of ripe apples is enhanced by the rich, golden notes of honey, while the subtle hint of thyme adds a savoury, herbal depth that elevates each bite.

It is unnecessary to peel the apples as the thin slices allow for the skins to soften gently during the bake time. Use your favourite local honey to take these tarts to the next level. One of the secrets to achieving the flavour is the caramelisation as they bake. The sugars in the honey and apples meld together, creating a heavenly caramel that coats both pastry and apple. The thyme, with its earthy undertones, adds a layer of complexity that transforms a simple tart into something that feels as though its taken far more effort!

Easy for Entertaining

These Apple, Honey, and Thyme Tarts are not just a treat for your taste buds; they're also a host's dream dessert. Impress your guests with a sophisticated yet effortlessly prepared pastry in 30 minutes. They can be served warm or at room temperature. Bake them before your guests arrive and leave them out to be enjoyed at the end of your meal. The individual tarts make for a charming presentation, and the aroma of baked apples and thyme wafting through your kitchen will set the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.

Ingredients

• Apples
• Cinnamon
• Puff pastry
• Honey
• Thyme

See recipe card below for quantities.

Tips and Variations

• Apples: I used Pink Lady apples for this recipe, which is a sweet and tart variety. I'd recommend choosing a variety that has a bit of tang to counteract the sweetness of the honey.
• Honey: This can be swapped for apricot jam and used in a similar way.
• Serving: Serve as is, or with a dollop of crème fraîche, vanilla yoghurt or scoop of ice cream.

Equipment

• Chopping board
• Knife
• Bowls
• Baking tray
• Cookie cutter
• Spoon
• Pastry brush

Watch the video here. If you make this one, don't forget to tag me on TikTok or Instagram. I love to see it!