Rustic Apple Pan Tart with Maple Glaze

YOU HAVE TO MAKE THIS!

How many times do I say that? Ok, maybe I do say that a lot but this time I really mean it. Truly mean it. This recipe is easy, doesn’t have a long list of ingredients, and you can use a pre-made piecrust! How much easier can it get?? It is so mouthwateringly scrumptious that you will wonder why you ever bothered making traditional apple pie again. I mean it! It’s that freaking good! It does have one strange ingredient....corn flakes! Weird huh? But it so works.

Yes you can use 2 homemade crusts. Yes I know how to make homemade crusts. I actually make a kick ass piecrust, but when you want something fast, there is nothing easier then grabbing the red box with the fat boy on it. I give you permission not to feel bad about it. We all need shortcuts now and then. So use the little red box without feeling any guilt.

Where oh where did I find this delectable recipe?? Stuffed into one of my cookbook. It’s a Pillsbury recipe, hence the use of the crust in the red box. I found it back in the fall when I went searching for apple recipes. I anticipated making it sometime that autumn so I put it in my recipe basket, and there it sat until now. I’m so happy it creeped its way back up to the top of the pile for me to make.

I had no great expectations this recipe. I thought it would be mediocre at best. I’m so glad I was wrong. This actually may replace my famous apple pie (hush – it’s famous to all my family and friends). I just can’t stop gushing about it. I think it may have been the quirky addition of the corn flakes on the bottom. A slice of this deliciousness could stand up to the best slice of pie you have ever eaten. I’m serious. The maple glaze drizzled over the top is literally the icing on the cake, err well pie, wait, pan tart. Oh you know what I mean.

As I mentioned in a previous post, we don’t go all out on Valentines Day like some couples do. We exchange cards and a small gift and avoid the restaurant frenzy by making a nice romantic meal at home. Tonight we had grilled center cut pork chops with a balsamic glaze, mashed potatoes (John’s favorite) and fresh green beans. For dessert....a slice of this baby.....


I used my apple/peeler/corer/slicer to prepare the apples. If you don’t have one, and you make a good amount of recipes with apples, it’s a great tool to have. I did tweak this recipe a tiny bit from the original. Oh and the original called for maple-flavored syrup. If you have real maple syrup – use it! You won’t be sorry.

Rustic Apple Pan Tart with Maple Glaze
Printable recipe
1 double piecrust
1 teaspoon flour
1 egg white, beaten

Filling
1 ½ cups corn flakes (don’t crush them!)
6 cups thinly sliced apples, about 5 medium (I used Granny Smiths)
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Glaze
½ cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons maple syrup



Heat the oven to 350. Place one piecrust on a work surface and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon of flour. Now rub the flour all over to coat the crust. Place the crust flour side down on an ungreased cookie sheet lined with parchment.

Sprinkle the cereal over the crust to within ½ inch of the edge. Top with the apples. Combine the sugar & cinnamon in a bowl and then sprinkle over the apples. Brush the edge of the crust with the beaten egg white.

Now take the other half of the crust and just slightly push the edges with your fingers. You want it to be a little bit bigger than the bottom crust. Don’t go crazy and make it pizza pie size, just gently push it out maybe a half-inch bigger.

Place the piecrust over the top of the crust on the cookie sheet. Fold the edge of the bottom crust over the top crust, pinch the edge to seal and flute. Cut several slits in the top. Brush with remaining egg white. I sprinkled mine with demerara sugar just before I popped it into the oven.

Bake 45 to 55 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and apples are tender.

In a small bowl mix the glaze ingredients until smooth and drizzle over the warm tart. Serve warm or cold. If you topped it with some vanilla ice cream I wouldn’t squeal on ya either.

I'm tellin' ya one last time..... you have got to make this!