Vegan Apple Custard Tart (Tarte Normande) Recipe
If you’re on the lookout for a dessert that magically combines creamy, fruity, and buttery goodness in a completely plant-based way, you’ve hit the jackpot with this Vegan Apple Custard Tart (Tarte Normande) Recipe. It’s a charming twist on a classic French favorite, swapping dairy for luscious coconut cream and oat milk without losing any of that rich, silky texture. The delicate shortcrust pastry holds a layer of tangy apricot glaze, thinly sliced golden apples, and a smooth vanilla-infused vegan custard that sets beautifully in the oven. It’s the kind of tart that brings warmth to the table and smiles to everyone lucky enough to have a slice.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Vegan Apple Custard Tart (Tarte Normande) Recipe lies in its simple yet essential ingredients. Each one plays an important role, from creating the perfect buttery crust to crafting that velvety custard with a subtle vanilla aroma and the star of the show, tender golden apples.
- Vegan shortcrust pastry: Provides a crisp, crumbly base that’s sturdy enough to hold the custard and apples.
- Apricot jam: Adds a glossy glaze and a hint of fruity sweetness to the pastry.
- Oat milk: A creamy, neutral-flavored non-dairy milk that blends seamlessly into the custard.
- Coconut cream or vegan heavy cream: Delivers richness and a silky mouthfeel essential for luscious custard.
- Vegan Greek-style or thick coconut yogurt: Contributes tang and thickness for a custard that sets just right.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the custard just enough without overpowering the apples.
- Cornstarch: The secret thickening agent that gives the custard its creamy texture.
- Vegan butter (block-style): Adds depth and buttery flavor to the custard mixture.
- Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste: Elevates the custard with warm, aromatic notes.
- Vanilla pod (optional): For an extra burst of vanilla richness straight from the seeds.
- Golden Delicious apples: Perfectly sweet and tender when baked, offering bright color and delicate flavor.
How to Make Vegan Apple Custard Tart (Tarte Normande) Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Pastry
Start by making your vegan shortcrust pastry using your favorite recipe or the one provided. Once rolled out, par-bake the crust as instructed—this ensures it doesn’t get soggy once the custard filling is added. Cooling it to room temperature after baking is key to a perfect tart structure, so be patient and resist touching it!
Step 2: Glaze the Base with Apricot Jam
Gently warming the apricot jam makes it easier to brush evenly over the base and sides of the cooled pastry. This step creates a fruit-flavored protective layer that keeps the crust crisp while adding subtle sweetness. Don’t forget to set aside a bit of jam for the finishing glaze.
Step 3: Make the Custard Filling
This is where all your creamy ingredients come together. In a high-speed blender, combine oat milk, coconut cream, vegan yogurt, sugar, cornstarch, vegan butter, and vanilla essence. If you have a vanilla pod, scraping out those tiny fragrant seeds and adding them really takes the custard to the next level. Blend everything for about 30 seconds until completely smooth and uniform.
Step 4: Prepare and Arrange the Apples
Core and thinly slice the Golden Delicious apples—using a mandolin slicer here makes the slices uniform, which helps with even baking and aesthetics. Arrange the slices gracefully in a circular pattern over the glazed pastry base, creating a beautiful canvas for the custard.
Step 5: Pour the Custard and Bake
Pour the silky custard mixture gently over the neatly arranged apples, filling the tart shell right to the top. Bake in a preheated oven at 175°C (350°F) for about 30-35 minutes. You want the custard to be lightly golden on top but still have a gentle wobble in the center—it will set as it cools.
Step 6: Final Glaze and Cooling
Once baked, let the tart cool to room temperature. Then, brush the top with the reserved apricot jam for that gorgeous shiny finish. For best results, chill the tart for 1 to 2 hours before serving—this helps the custard firm up and the flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 7: Ready to Enjoy
Your Vegan Apple Custard Tart (Tarte Normande) Recipe is now ready to slice and serve. The combination of textures and flavors is simply irresistible, so slice generously and savor every bite.
How to Serve Vegan Apple Custard Tart (Tarte Normande) Recipe
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of elegance and sweetness on top just before serving. A sprig of fresh mint or a sprinkle of toasted almonds adds a lovely crunch and subtle fragrance, lifting the tart to restaurant-quality presentation without much effort.
Side Dishes
This tart pairs wonderfully with a fresh fruit salad or a dollop of vegan whipped cream to complement the creamy custard. For a cozy dessert spread, serve alongside a warm herbal tea or a glass of chilled apple cider to amplify the apple flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, serve individual mini tarts using the same recipe scaled down, creating adorable personal portions. Alternatively, slice the tart and place each piece on a colorful plate with a drizzle of caramel sauce or a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Storing your Vegan Apple Custard Tart (Tarte Normande) Recipe properly keeps it fresh for a few days. Wrap the tart tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain moisture and flavor. Consume it within 2-3 days for the best experience.
Freezing
If you want to make this tart ahead of time and freeze it, it’s best to freeze before glazing with the apricot jam. Wrap tightly with plastic and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and apply the apricot glaze fresh for that perfect shine.
Reheating
To reheat, warm individual slices gently in a low oven or toaster oven for about 10 minutes. Avoid the microwave if possible to preserve the custard’s creamy texture and flaky crust. Serving slightly warm is the best way to enjoy the luscious flavors.
FAQs
Can I use any type of apples in this Vegan Apple Custard Tart (Tarte Normande) Recipe?
While Golden Delicious apples are ideal due to their balanced sweetness and firmness, you can use other varieties like Gala or Fuji. Just make sure they’re not too soft to keep the slices from turning mushy when baked.
Is it necessary to use vegan Greek-style yogurt?
The thick texture of vegan Greek-style yogurt or a thick coconut yogurt gives the custard structure and creaminess. Using thinner yogurts might affect how well the custard sets, so opt for a thick variety when possible.
Can I make the tart gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just substitute the vegan shortcrust pastry with a gluten-free version made from almond flour or a gluten-free flour blend. Keep an eye on baking times as these crusts might bake a bit faster or slower.
What can I use instead of cornstarch?
If you don’t have cornstarch, arrowroot powder or tapioca starch works well as a thickener in this recipe. Use the same quantity for a similar custard texture.
How long does this tart keep in the fridge?
This tart keeps well up to 3 days refrigerated when stored in an airtight container. After that, the crust might soften and the custard’s texture can change, so it’s best enjoyed fresh within this window.
Final Thoughts
This Vegan Apple Custard Tart (Tarte Normande) Recipe is truly a celebration of simple ingredients transforming into something extraordinary. Its smooth custard, luscious apples, and buttery crust will have you reaching for seconds and sharing it proudly with friends. If you haven’t made it yet, trust me—this is the perfect moment to bake up a slice of cozy French-inspired joy.
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Vegan Apple Custard Tart (Tarte Normande) Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (plus 20 minutes chilling time optional)
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Vegan Apple Custard Tart, inspired by the classic Tarte Normande, features a delicate vegan shortcrust pastry filled with a smooth, creamy custard made from oat milk, coconut cream, and vegan yogurt. Topped with thinly sliced golden delicious apples and glazed with apricot jam, this tart is a perfect dessert for a refined yet dairy-free treat.
Ingredients
Vegan Shortcrust Pastry
- 1 batch vegan shortcrust pastry
Apricot Glaze
- 50 g apricot jam
Custard Filling
- 180 ml oat milk
- 200 g coconut cream (or vegan heavy cream)
- 125 g vegan Greek-style yogurt (or thick coconut yogurt)
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 40 g cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter (block-style)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
- 1 vanilla pod (optional, but recommended)
Fruit
- 3 Golden Delicious apples
Instructions
- Make the pastry: Prepare the vegan shortcrust pastry according to your recipe and par-bake it following the initial steps up to part 4 in the original instructions. Allow the pastry shell to cool to room temperature before proceeding.
- Glaze the pastry: Warm the apricot jam gently in a saucepan until it becomes brushable. Using a pastry brush, apply the jam over the base and sides of the cooled pastry crust, reserving about one tablespoon for later glazing. Keep the oven on at 175°C (350°F) for baking.
- Prepare the custard filling: In a high-speed blender, combine the oat milk, coconut cream, vegan Greek-style yogurt, sugar, cornstarch, vegan butter, and vanilla extract. If using a vanilla pod, split it and scrape out the seeds, adding them to the blender as well. Blend for about 30 seconds until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Prepare the apples: Quarter and core the Golden Delicious apples, then slice them very thinly using a sharp knife or a mandolin slicer for uniformity. Arrange the apple slices in a circular pattern on top of the cooled pastry shell.
- Assemble and bake the tart: Pour the prepared custard mixture evenly over the arranged apples, filling the tart crust to the top. Place the tart in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the custard is lightly golden on top and still has a slight jiggle in the center.
- Cool and glaze: Allow the tart to cool completely to room temperature. Then, gently brush the surface with the reserved apricot jam glaze to add shine and sweetness. For best flavor and texture, chill the tart in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours before serving.
- Storage: Store the tart in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 2-3 days to enjoy optimal freshness and taste.
Notes
- Use thick coconut yogurt or vegan Greek-style yogurt to achieve a creamy custard texture.
- Mandoline slicer is recommended for evenly thin apple slices.
- Chilling the tart after baking improves sliceability and flavor.
- Apricot jam glaze adds a glossy finish and enhances sweetness.
- Consume within 2-3 days; keep refrigerated in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
