Bake A Dazzling Apple Tart In No Time With 2 Store-Bought Shortcuts

Buy ready-to-use puff pastry and caramel

While homemade pastry dough is the traditional choice for tarte tatin and similar fruit tarts (which are quite different from cakelike tortes), pre-made puff pastry is a busy baker's best ally. Instead of dealing with the hassle of mixing, pressing, and chilling dough for a pastry base or settling for a standard frozen pie crust, frozen puff pastry simply needs to be rolled and cut into shape for a delightfully crispy, flaky apple tart. You can find this convenient option in most supermarket freezer sections, right next to frozen pie crusts and other pre-made doughs.

For the other key ingredient in an apple tart, there's another ready-to-use option that allows you to bypass the process of caramelizing the fruit yourself. Canned or jarred caramel or dulce de leche can be a real lifesaver. Although these two sweet, sticky substances may look alike, they are distinct. Caramel, which can sometimes have a slightly bitter flavor, is made by melting butter and sugar together over heat. In contrast, dulce de leche (Spanish for "candy made from milk") is created using milk and sugar, resulting in a creamier, toffee-like flavor.

Ultimately, both options pair wonderfully with apple slices and can be baked into a delicious dessert, though you might choose one sauce over the other depending on the type of fruit you’re using. For an extra touch of sweetness, drizzle caramel or dulce de leche over the tart after baking. With these convenient store-bought shortcuts, you can whip up a fantastic apple tart in no time.