If you love the taste of fall, you’re going to adore this Salted Caramel Apple Galette! It’s a rustic, free-form tart that’s much easier to make than a traditional pie, but still delivers all those warm, comforting flavors. With sweet, tender apples, a flaky crust, and a drizzle of luscious salted caramel, this Salted Caramel Apple Galette is the perfect dessert for any occasion.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This Salted Caramel Apple Galette is truly special because it combines simplicity with incredible flavor. The homemade crust is wonderfully flaky and buttery, and the apple filling is perfectly spiced and sweetened. What really sets this galette apart is the salted caramel. The touch of salt enhances the sweetness of the caramel and apples, creating a delightful balance that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Plus, the rustic presentation makes it a beautiful and impressive dessert without requiring any fancy pie-making skills. This recipe is much more forgiving, and it celebrates imperfections, making it perfect for novice bakers!
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup ice water
For the Apple Filling:
- 4 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
For the Salted Caramel:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for sprinkling)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Crust
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the cold butter and use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together.
Step 2: Chill the Dough
Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time is essential for relaxing the gluten and preventing the dough from shrinking when baked.
Step 3: Prepare the Apple Filling
In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss gently to coat the apples evenly.
Step 4: Roll Out the Dough
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 5: Assemble the Galette
Arrange the apple slices in the center of the dough, leaving a 2-inch border. Dot the apples with the butter pieces.
Step 6: Fold the Edges
Carefully fold the edges of the dough over the apple filling, pleating as you go. The galette doesn’t need to be perfect; its rustic charm is part of its appeal.
Step 7: Egg Wash and Sprinkle
Brush the crust with the beaten egg and sprinkle with the remaining tablespoon of sugar. This will give the crust a beautiful golden color and a touch of sweetness.
Step 8: Bake the Galette
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender.
Step 9: Make the Salted Caramel
While the galette is baking, make the salted caramel. In a medium saucepan, melt the sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly until it is golden brown. Be patient and watch carefully to prevent it from burning.
Step 10: Add Butter and Cream
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the butter until melted. Gradually pour in the heavy cream and stir until smooth. Return the saucepan to low heat and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the caramel is smooth and thickened.
Step 11: Add Salt
Remove from heat and stir in the sea salt. Adjust the amount of salt to your taste.
Step 12: Drizzle and Serve
Let the galette cool slightly before drizzling with the salted caramel. Serve warm and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
This Salted Caramel Apple Galette is wonderful served warm, either on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The contrast of the warm galette with the cold ice cream is simply divine. A cup of hot coffee or tea complements the flavors beautifully, making it a perfect ending to any meal.
For presentation, a simple dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of chopped nuts adds an elegant touch. This galette is ideal for casual gatherings, holiday celebrations, or any time you want to impress your friends and family with a delicious homemade dessert. Its rustic appearance is part of its charm, so don’t worry about perfection – just enjoy the process!
Storage and Reheating
Store any leftover Salted Caramel Apple Galette in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, warm slices in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat individual slices in the microwave, but be careful not to overheat, as the crust may become soggy. To maintain the crust’s crispness, avoid covering the galette while reheating in the oven.
Key Details
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Servings: 6-8
- Equipment:
- Large bowl
- Pastry blender or your fingers
- Rolling pin
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Medium saucepan
Salted Caramel Apple Galette
Ingredients
- For the Crust:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup 1 stick cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup ice water
- For the Apple Filling:
- 4 medium apples such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into small pieces
- For the Salted Caramel:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt or to taste
- 1 large egg lightly beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Make the Crust: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the cold butter and use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together.
- Chill the Dough: Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss gently to coat the apples evenly.
- Roll Out the Dough: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Assemble the Galette: Arrange the apple slices in the center of the dough, leaving a 2-inch border. Dot the apples with the butter pieces.
- Fold the Edges: Carefully fold the edges of the dough over the apple filling, pleating as you go.
- Egg Wash and Sprinkle: Brush the crust with the beaten egg and sprinkle with the remaining tablespoon of sugar.
- Bake the Galette: Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender.
- Make the Salted Caramel: While the galette is baking, make the salted caramel. In a medium saucepan, melt the sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly until it is golden brown.
- Add Butter and Cream: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the butter until melted. Gradually pour in the heavy cream and stir until smooth. Return the saucepan to low heat and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the caramel is smooth and thickened.
- Add Salt: Remove from heat and stir in the sea salt. Adjust the amount of salt to your taste.
- Drizzle and Serve: Let the galette cool slightly before drizzling with the salted caramel. Serve warm and enjoy!