Ree Drummond’s Easy Apple Tart Recipe Is Delicious

Apples are my favorite fall fruit, mostly because they’re so versatile. Whether it’s a comforting apple pie or a savory grilled cheese sandwich, the sweet, luscious flavor of the apple can be used in so many ways.

Besides their pleasing taste and versatility, apples are also nutritious. They’re packed with fiber, which is great for your gut health and for filling you up. And their antioxidants may protect your heart and brain and reduce the risk of diabetes and cancer.

I always have a batch of apples on hand when they’re in season. I like simple recipes that use ingredients I often have on hand. So after a bit of research, I found Ree Drummond’s Quick and Easy Apple Tart recipe—and the name speaks for itself. Only needing three ingredients and 20 minutes of prep time, this dessert is about as simple as it gets—and it’s so delicious. Here’s how I made it.

How to Make Ree Drummond’s Apple Tart

All you need to whip up these tarts are apples, brown sugar and a package of puff pastry sheets. The type of apples you use depends on your preference. For baking, Drummond recommends using Granny Smith, Gala or Honeycrisp apples. But personally, I just use whatever I have available, and it’s always equally tasty.

Preheat the oven to 400°F and lay out your puff pastry onto nonstick baking sheets. Thinly slice 3 apples (leave the peel on!) and add these slices to a bowl. The recipe calls for ⅔ cup of brown sugar, but I cut the sugar in half for a few reasons. First, the apples are already sweet, so I want to use just enough sugar to bring out the fruit’s natural sweetness. Also, I almost always pair a warm apple baked good with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream, and I don’t want it to be too cloying.

Add your sugar to your bowl with the apples, along with an optional pinch of salt. And though the recipe doesn’t call for it, I add in a bit of cinnamon, as I love the flavor combination of apple and cinnamon. Mix it all together with a rubber spatula or just use your hands.

Once coated, layer your apples one by one on top of each puff pastry sheet so the slices are in neat lines and each apple slice is slightly overlapping the previous one. Pop the trays in the oven for about 18 minutes until the puff pastry is puffy and golden. The result is a gorgeous, decadent dessert that’s a snap to make and embraces the beautiful tangy sweetness of autumn’s best fruit.

I cut the puff pastries in half so they’re shareable and pack some away to give to my family. They’re just as delicious reheated the next day, and are so comparable to apple pie that I may never spend the time on making an apple pie again.

This is a lovely treat as-is, but a little ice cream ups the flavor ante for me. The Pioneer Woman star likes to top off the tarts with a sprinkling of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream. At EatingWell, we believe that any food or drink can be enjoyed in moderation within a healthy eating pattern. So grab a few apples, pull out your puff pastry and make this simple dessert—and adorn it with your favorite topping.