Caramelized Apple Galette Recipes

Steps:

• On a lightly floured work surface, roll out an eighth of the quick puff pastry dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Using a sharp paring knife, cut dough into a circle about 7 1/2 inches in diameter. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet, and place in refrigerator to chill, about 15 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Place the chilled pastry dough in a heavy cast-iron skillet that measures 6 1/2 inches in diameter at the bottom. Peel, core, and slice apple in half lengthwise. Using a mandoline or very sharp knife, slice apple halves widthwise into twenty-five 1/8-inch-thick slices. Arrange the slices in a neat fanned pattern, overlapping the slices and keeping them 1/2 inch in from the edge of the pastry dough; fill in the center with smaller or broken apple slices as you create the fanned-out circle.
• Sprinkle 2 tablespoons sugar over the apple slices, and dot with 1 tablespoon butter cut into very small pieces. Place skillet in the oven, and bake until the pastry has puffed up along the edges of the pan and is golden brown, about 30 minutes.
• Remove the skillet from the oven. Using a spatula, remove the tart from the skillet, and transfer to a plate; set aside. Add the remaining tablespoon butter to the skillet, and place over medium heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and cook until the sugar dissolves and forms a light caramel, about 5 minutes. Measure brandy into a glass, then pour into the caramel; cook out the alcohol, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Using a second plate, invert the tart so it is upside down. Return the tart to the skillet, apple side down, and cook 4 to 5 minutes, until the caramel bubbles up over the tart, and starts to look a little thick. Remove the skillet from the heat, and carefully invert the tart onto a plate large enough to catch the hot caramel as it drips out of the skillet. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• In the bowl of a food processor, combine flours, sugar and salt. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse sand with some larger pieces. Add the ice water and pulse just until the mixture is evenly moistened. Tip the mixture out onto a piece of plastic wrap. Use the edges of the plastic to pack the dough into a disc. Wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 3 days.
• Heat the oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, toss together apples, pears, sugar, cornstarch, lemon zest and cinnamon. On a lightly floured piece of parchment, roll the dough out into a 12-inch circle. Top the dough with the prepared fruit in concentric circles leaving a 1 1/2-inch border. Lift and press the edges up over the fruit, folding as necessary. Using the parchment paper, transfer the galette to a rimmed baking sheet. Chill for 10 minutes.
• Brush the border of the pastry with the beaten egg and sprinkle with sanding sugar, if using. Dot the fruit with the butter. Bake until the filling is tender and the crust is deep golden brown, about 45 minutes. Some of the juices may leak out, but that's O.K.
• Meanwhile, make the caramel: Bring apple cider to a boil over medium-high heat in a small saucepan. Continue to cook the cider until it has reduced to 1 cup liquid, about 13 to 14 minutes. Then add brown sugar, butter, and salt and stir to combine. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer, and continue to cook the mixture, whisking often, until it has become syrupy and thickened slightly, about 13 to 15 minutes. Whisk in the cream and set aside to cool slightly. (The caramel will thicken as it cools.)
• Remove tart from the oven, and let it cool slightly on the pan on a rack. Transfer the galette to a serving plate and drizzle with caramel. Serve warm or at room temperature with any remaining caramel.