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Caramelized Apple and Lavender Tart with Honey-Mascarpone Cream
Andrea

Caramelized Apple and Lavender Tart with Honey-Mascarpone Cream

This Caramelized Apple and Lavender Tart with Honey-Mascarpone Cream is an unusual apple dessert that blends the sweetness of caramelized apples with the floral notes of lavender. Finished with a rich honey-mascarpone cream, this tart is a delightful and elegant treat perfect for special occasions or a gourmet twist on classic apple desserts.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Dessert
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the tart base:
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 2-3 tbsp ice water
For the filling:
  • 4 large Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp dried culinary lavender buds
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt
For the honey-mascarpone cream:
  • 1 cup mascarpone cheese
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a food processor, pulse flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add cold butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg yolk and ice water, pulsing until dough comes together.
  3. Press dough into a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
  4. Blind bake the tart shell for 15 minutes with pie weights, then remove weights and bake for an additional 5 minutes until lightly golden.
  5. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add brown sugar, lavender buds, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until sugar dissolves.
  6. Add apple slices to the skillet and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring gently, until apples are caramelized and tender.
  7. Arrange the caramelized apples in a circular pattern in the tart shell.
  8. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the crust is golden brown and apples are bubbling.
  9. While the tart is baking, whisk together mascarpone, honey, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  10. Let the tart cool for 15 minutes before removing from the pan.
  11. Serve slices of the tart with a dollop of honey-mascarpone cream.

Notes

Here are some creative variations on the Caramelized Apple and Lavender Tart with Honey-Mascarpone Cream that still feature apples as a key ingredient:
  1. Apple-Rosemary Tart with Goat Cheese Cream
    • Replace lavender with fresh rosemary
    • Swap honey-mascarpone cream for a tangy goat cheese and crème fraîche mixture
  2. Spiced Apple and Pear Tart with Cardamom Whipped Cream
    • Add sliced pears to the apple mixture
    • Include cardamom and nutmeg in the spice blend
    • Top with cardamom-infused whipped cream instead of mascarpone
  3. Caramel Apple and Pecan Tart with Bourbon Cream
    • Add chopped pecans to the apple filling
    • Drizzle with homemade caramel sauce
    • Replace honey-mascarpone cream with bourbon-spiked whipped cream
  4. Apple-Ginger Tart with Lemon Curd Cream
    • Add minced crystallized ginger to the apple filling
    • Swap honey-mascarpone cream for a lemon curd and crème fraîche mixture
  5. Maple-Apple Tart with Cinnamon-Mascarpone Cream
    • Replace brown sugar with maple syrup in the apple filling
    • Add cinnamon to the mascarpone cream
  6. Apple and Blackberry Tart with Vanilla Bean Custard
    • Add fresh blackberries to the apple filling
    • Serve with a homemade vanilla bean custard instead of mascarpone cream
  7. Chai-Spiced Apple Tart with Coconut Cream
    • Use a blend of chai spices (cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves) in the apple filling
    • Top with coconut whipped cream instead of mascarpone
Each of these variations maintains the apple as the star ingredient while offering unique flavor combinations and complementary elements. The cooking times and methods would remain similar to the original recipe, with slight adjustments for any added ingredients.
 
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