Farmhouse Apple Tarts

grapefruit's Note:

Got this recipe from a Family Circle cookbook called "Perfect Pastries". I love how simple this is. The original recipe uses 1/2 quantity of rough puff pastry (for which they have a separate recipe) - but I just used puff pastry squares and am posting the recipe here with that alteration.

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 3 small gala apples
• 6 square puff pastry shells
• 1 1/2 tablespoons apricot jam
• 3 tablespoons caster sugar
• 50 g butter
• 3 tablespoons apricot jam, extra

Directions:

1. Lightly grease a large oven tray.
2. Cut apples in half from stem, core - but leave unpeeled.
3. Slice as thinly as you can, retaining the shape.
4. Place puff pastry squares well spaced-out on tray.
5. Spread each pastry with a tsp of apricot jam, leaving a border.
6. Divide apple slices evenly and arrange along each pastry piece, leaving border.
7. Sprinkle the apples with sugar and dot with a small cube of butter.
8. Use the blunt side of a knife to make indentations along edges of pastry - this helps the pastry to rise and flake.
9. Chill for 20 minutes.
10. Preheat oven to 415°F and bake pastries for 20 minutes or till puffed and golden.
11. While hot, brush with warmed, sieved jam to glaze.
12. Serve warm or cold.