Glazed Apple-Ricotta Tarts

Submitted by Chef mariajane

"Rich homemade pastry sets the stage for a creamy-sweet combination of ricotta cheese and caramelized apples. Infused with Calvados (apple brandy) they make the perfect sweet ending to your next dinner party. I found this recipe in our local newspaper."

 

• Ready In: 25mins
• Ingredients: 12
• Yields: 12 tarts

ingredients

• PASTRY

• 1 3⁄4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons icing sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1⁄4 cups unsalted butter, cubed
• 2 1⁄2 tablespoons ice water

• FILLING

• 2 lbs apples, peeled cored and cut into 1/2 inch chunks
• 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 1⁄4 cup calvados
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1⁄4 cup ricotta cheese, whole milk

• TOPPING

• 2 apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 1⁄4 cup apple jelly

directions

1. PASTRY:.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F In a food processor, add flour, icing sugar, and salt. Turn to low speed and process until well mixed. Add butter and continue to process until crumbly in texture. Add water and pulse just until mixed and dough holds together when squeezed.
3. Add an additional 1/2 teaspoons of water at a time if necessary. Flatten to 1/2 inch disc., wrap tightly in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
4. FILLING:.
5. Meanwhile in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stir together apples, sugar Calvados, and lemon zest. Cook covered stirring occasionally, until apples are tender ( but not mushy), about 20-30 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Stir in ricotta.
6. ASSEMBLY:.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut 4-inch circles using round cutter. (or alternatively, divide dough into 12 pieces and roll out individually).
8. Fit into nonstick muffin cups. refrigerate for 30 minutes.
9. Fill each muffin cup with 2 tablespoons of apple ricotta filling. For topping, fan apple slices decoratively over top of each tart. Melt jelly in microwave for about 30 seconds, or until pourable, then drizzle 1 teaspoons over each tart.
10. Bake in the center of preheated oven until pastry is golden about 20-25 minutes. Cool tarts in pan on wire rack.
11. VARIETY TIP: For best results use Spartan, Cortland, Empire or Crispin apples.
12. CHEF'S TIP: For extra flavor, drizzle each tart with 1 teaspoons of Calvados while they cool.