This recipe creates a beautiful French apple tart featuring a flaky pastry base topped with thinly sliced Granny Smith apples arranged decoratively. Baked until golden, it's finished with a warm apricot and spirit glaze for a classic, elegant dessert.
Ensure all pastry ingredients, especially the butter and water, are very cold for a flaky crust. Pulse the butter just until pea-sized to maintain texture. Handle the dough minimally. Slice apples uniformly for even cooking. Arrange apples tightly and appealingly, considering the diagonal pattern shown. Don't overwork the pastry when rolling. Vent any large air pockets during baking to keep the tart flat. The glaze adds shine and flavor; brush generously.