If you’re looking for a dessert that combines the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and savory, look no further than this Salted Caramel Apple Galette. This rustic, buttery pastry filled with caramelized apples and drizzled with homemade salted caramel sauce is the ultimate fall dessert. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just getting started, this recipe is easy to follow and sure to impress.
What is a Salted Caramel Apple Galette?
A Salted Caramel Apple Galette is a simple yet flavorful dessert that is essentially a free-form pie. Unlike traditional pies that require a pie dish, a galette is a rustic pastry that can be made without special equipment, making it a more casual, forgiving alternative. The star of the dish is the caramelized apple filling, which is enhanced with a rich, salted caramel sauce that perfectly balances the sweetness of the apples. The flaky, buttery pastry and the gooey caramel sauce combine for an unforgettable taste experience.
The Origin of the Recipe
The concept of the galette originates from France. Traditionally, it’s a round, flat pastry often filled with fruits or other ingredients, and then folded into a rustic, free-form shape. Galettes have been around for centuries, typically made with seasonal ingredients and often served as a dessert or savory dish. The salted caramel apple galette brings a modern twist to this classic French pastry, combining the rich flavors of apples with the decadent sweetness of caramel and a hint of salt to enhance the overall flavor profile.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make the Salted Caramel Apple Galette:
For the Pastry:
- 1 ¼ cups (160g) all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- 3–4 Tbsp ice water
Apple Filling:
- 3–4 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour (to thicken)
For the Salted Caramel Sauce:
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature)
- ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream (warm)
- ½ tsp flaky sea salt (adjust to taste)
To Finish:
- 1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
- 1 Tbsp coarse sugar (optional, for sprinkling)
Step-by-Step Directions and Preparation Method
1. Make the Pastry:
- Whisk dry ingredients: In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt.
- Cut in the butter: Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add ice water: Gradually add ice water one tablespoon at a time, mixing just until the dough starts to come together.
- Form the dough: Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (you can refrigerate it for up to 2 days if you need to make it ahead of time).
2. Prepare the Apple Filling:
- Toss the apples: In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), lemon juice, vanilla extract, and flour.
- Let it sit: Allow the mixture to sit for 10-15 minutes, letting the juices release from the apples and creating a syrupy mixture.
3. Make the Salted Caramel Sauce:
- Melt the sugar: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the sugar until it turns amber, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add the butter: Carefully add the butter to the pan (it will bubble), whisking until fully melted.
- Add the cream: Slowly add the warm heavy cream while continuing to stir. Be cautious as the mixture will bubble up.
- Finish the sauce: Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the sea salt. Let the caramel cool slightly before using.
4. Assemble the Galette:
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Roll out the dough: On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a 12-inch circle. It doesn’t need to be perfectly round or smooth—this is the beauty of a galette!
- Prepare the baking sheet: Transfer the dough to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Add the apple filling: Arrange the apples in the center of the dough, leaving a 2-inch border around the edges.
- Drizzle with caramel: Drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of the salted caramel sauce over the apples.
- Fold the edges: Carefully fold the edges of the dough over the apples, pleating it as you go to create a rustic, free-form crust.
- Egg wash: Brush the folded edges of the dough with a beaten egg to give it a golden finish when baked. Sprinkle with coarse sugar, if desired.
5. Bake the Galette:
- Bake until golden: Place the galette in the preheated oven and bake for 35–45 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the apple filling is bubbling.
- Cool before serving: Let the galette cool slightly before serving to allow the caramel sauce to set.
6. Serve the Galette:
- Drizzle with extra caramel: Once the galette has cooled slightly, drizzle more salted caramel sauce over the top.
- Serve with cream: Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Variations of Salted Caramel Apple Galette
While this Salted Caramel Apple Galette recipe is delicious as is, there are plenty of ways to customize it based on your taste preferences and available ingredients:
- Different Apple Varieties: Use a combination of sweet and tart apples for a more complex flavor profile. Granny Smith apples offer a tart kick, while Honeycrisp adds a delightful sweetness.
- Add Nuts: For a bit of crunch, sprinkle some chopped pecans or walnuts into the apple filling.
- Spiced Caramel Sauce: Add a dash of cinnamon or cardamom to the caramel sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
- Crust Variations: Experiment with different types of crusts, such as a graham cracker or almond flour crust, for a gluten-free version.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Salted Caramel Apple Galette
1. Can I make the galette ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the galette up to the point of baking and refrigerate it for a few hours or overnight. When you’re ready, bake it fresh from the fridge.
2. What apples are best for an apple galette?
Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a combination of both are ideal for a balanced galette. The tartness of Granny Smith apples complements the sweetness of the caramel sauce.
3. Can I freeze the galette?
Absolutely! You can freeze the unbaked galette. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, no need to thaw it—just bake it straight from the freezer, but add an extra 10-15 minutes of baking time.
4. Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
While homemade salted caramel sauce provides the best flavor, you can use store-bought caramel sauce in a pinch. However, it may lack the depth and richness that homemade caramel offers.
Conclusion: Salted Caramel Apple Galette
The Salted Caramel Apple Galette is more than just a dessert—it’s an experience. With its combination of sweet, savory, and buttery flavors, this rustic pastry is perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re enjoying it with family, friends, or just on your own, this galette is sure to become a favorite fall treat. With its simple preparation, customizable flavors, and rich salted caramel sauce, this recipe is a must-try for anyone looking to indulge in a deliciously unique dessert. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your ingredients and start baking!
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Salted Caramel Apple Galette: A Delicious Fall Treat
- Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A Salted Caramel Apple Galette is a simple yet flavorful dessert that is essentially a free-form pie. Unlike traditional pies that require a pie dish, a galette is a rustic pastry that can be made without special equipment, making it a more casual, forgiving alternative. The star of the dish is the caramelized apple filling, which is enhanced with a rich, salted caramel sauce that perfectly balances the sweetness of the apples. The flaky, buttery pastry and the gooey caramel sauce combine for an unforgettable taste experience.
Ingredients
For the pastry:
1 ¼ cups (160g) all-purpose flour
½ tsp salt
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
3–4 Tbsp ice water
For the apple filling:
3–4 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled and thinly sliced
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbsp all-purpose flour (to thicken)
For the salted caramel sauce:
½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
3 Tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature)
¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream (warm)
½ tsp flaky sea salt (adjust to taste)
To finish:
1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
1 Tbsp coarse sugar (optional, for sprinkling)
Instructions
1. Make the pastry:
In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, and salt.
Cut in the cold butter with a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Add ice water one tablespoon at a time until the dough just comes together.
Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 2 days).
2. Prepare the apple filling:
In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, vanilla, and flour.
Let sit for 10–15 minutes so the juices start to release.
3. Make the salted caramel sauce:
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt sugar until it turns amber, stirring occasionally.
Carefully add butter (it will bubble), whisk until melted.
Slowly add warm cream while stirring constantly.
Remove from heat, stir in sea salt, and let cool slightly.
4. Assemble the galette:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
On a floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a 12-inch circle.
Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Arrange apples in the center, leaving a 2-inch border.
Drizzle 2–3 tablespoons of salted caramel over the apples.
Fold the edges of the dough over the apples, pleating as you go.
Brush edges with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.
5. Bake:
Bake for 35–45 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling.
Cool slightly before serving.
6. Serve:
Drizzle extra salted caramel sauce over the warm galette.
Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
Serve this Salted Caramel Apple Galette warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of extra salted caramel sauce for a cozy, indulgent dessert. Perfect for fall gatherings or a comforting weekend treat!
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Apple Galette, Caramel Apple Pastry, Salted Caramel Dessert
