German Apple Tart Apfel Tarte Food

GERMAN APPLE TART (APFEL TARTE)

Steps:

• Combine the ingredients for the dough until its smooth. Wrap in foil and let rest in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Peel, core, and cut the apples into quarters. With a sharp knife cut each quarter apple in its round side several times lengthwise. Don't cut the apple all the way through. Combine 2 tablespoons sugar, lemon juice and Calvados or apple cider. Pour over the apples and let them marinate for 1 hour.
• Roll 2/3-3/4 of the dough out into a 9 inch round. Set into a 9 inch springform pan. Use the rest of the dough to create a small edge along the inner walls of the form. Using a fork punch tiny holes into the bottom of the unbaked crust. Bake at 350° F for 10-12 minutes. Place the apples in a sieve or colander. Make sure to catch the escaping juice in a small bowl. Combine this juice with the Creme Fraiche and stir until smooth and consistent.
• Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar over the baked crust. Arrange the partially sliced apple quarters on the crust round side facing upwards. Pour the Creme Fraiche mixture over the apples. Bake at 350° F for 35 minutes or until lightly browned. Garnish with chopped almonds or nuts if desired. Serve with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream,sweet Creme Fraiche, or plain.
• Variations: substitute fresh peaches or pears. Instead of calvados or apple cider use peach or pear schnapps.

APFELKUCHEN (APPLE CAKE)

Steps:

• Grease the bottom and sides of a 9x13-inch baking dish or a 9-inch springform pan.
• Beat 2 1/4 cup flour, milk, 1/4 cup sugar, yeast, 6 tablespoons butter, vanilla extract, and 1 pinch salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high until dough is smooth, about 5 minutes; spread into baking dish and press dough up the sides. Press apple slices into dough.
• Mix 1 cup sugar, 3/4 cup flour, candied lemon peel, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 1 pinch salt in a bowl. Cut in 1/2 cup butter with a knife or pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs; sprinkle over apples. Allow dough to rise for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Bake in preheated oven until cake is golden brown and apples are tender, about 35 minutes.

GERMAN APPLE CAKE-TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cake/Crust: Mix dry ingredients and cut in butter as for a pie crust (mixture should be "sandy" with small pea-sized lumps of butter).
• Add egg and milk and mix well.
• Pat into the bottom and halfway up the sides of a 11 1/2 X 7 1/2 baking dish (I use large ceramic quiche pan).
• Filling: Arrange apple slices in a spiral around pan (I start outside and work in, eventually cutting pieces to fit).
• Topping: Mix topping ingredients and spread over apples. Bake for about 40 minutes or until apples are tender.
• Toward the end of the baking time you can also run it under a broiler to nicely brown the edges of the apples for the extra "wow" factor.