Dominique Ansel's Apple Tarte Tatin

One Day Before: Make Dough

1. Combine the egg yolks and granulated sugar in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk. Whip on high speed for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
2. Soften (but don’t melt!) the butter in the microwave. Reduce the mixer speed to low and mix in the butter.
3. Remove the bowl from the mixer. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix just until the flour is incorporated, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. The dough should be firm yet pliable.
4. On a piece of baking paper, draw a rectangle a little larger than 6 by 9 inches (15 by 23 cm) with a pencil if making individual tarts, or an 8-inch (20 cm) square if making a large tart. Flip the baking paper over on the work surface. Transfer the dough to the centre of the outline. With an offset spatula or your fingers, shape it into a square ¼ inch (6 mm) thick. Cover with another piece of baking paper. Using a rolling pin with steady, even pressure, push the dough from the middle outward to the edges of the outline. When the dough is rolled evenly and fits the outline, place on a baking tray, still between the two pieces of baking paper, and refrigerate overnight to rest.

The Day Of: Bake Sablé Cookies 

1. Place a rack in the centre of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) for conventional or 325°F (160°C) for convection. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
2. Remove the sablé dough from the refrigerator and peel off the top layer of baking paper. Using a cake tin as a guide, trace around the rim with a paring knife and cut out 6 individual cookies or 1 large cookie. Remove the excess dough. Transfer the sablé cookies to the baking tray.
3. Bake the sablé cookies on the centre rack for 8 minutes. Rotate the tray 180 degrees and bake for 8 minutes more or until the sablé cookies turn golden brown. The single large cookie might take a little longer. Transfer the sablé cookies, still on the baking paper, to cool.

Make Caramelised Apples

1. Place a rack in the centre of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) for conventional or 325°F (160°C) for convection.
2. Combine the granulated sugar and water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook without stirring until the caramel reaches 350ºF (175ºC) and turns a dark amber.
3. Whisk the butter into the caramel. Be careful! The butter will foam and the caramel will rise in the saucepan. Continue to whisk until all the butter has been incorporated and the caramel is smooth. 
4. Divide the caramel equally among the cake tins. It should fill each pan about ⅜ inch (1 cm) deep. 
5. Peel and core the apples. If making individual tarts, slice 1 apple into 6 segments. Place 1 whole apple into each small tin. Push 1 segment into the centre of each whole apple. For a large tart, place 1 whole apple in the centre of the large tin. Cut 6 apples in half vertically and place the halves, standing up, in a circle around the whole apple. Slice the remaining apple into 6 segments and fill the spaces between apples. 
6. Transfer the cake tins to a baking tray and bake on the centre rack for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and gently press each apple down with an offset spatula. Return the apples to the oven. Repeat this process 3 or 4 more times. When finished, the apples will have lost half of their size and turned a dark amber. A light skin will have formed on top of the apple, which will become the bottom when unmoulded. 
7. Let the caramelised apples cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for an hour for the caramel to set and thicken. 

Assemble

1. To unmould the apples, warm the outside and bottom of the tin by placing it directly on the stovetop over medium heat for 30 seconds. (Alternatively, place it in the oven at 350°F [175°C] for 3 minutes.) Using a small offset spatula or a fork, gently pull the apples away from the edge of the mould. 

2. Invert each tin and slide the apple onto a sablé cookie. Serve immediately. 

Serving Instructions: Serve warm or at room temperature. A dollop of crème fraîche is a great accompaniment. 
Storage Instructions: Assembled tarts should be consumed the day of. Caramelised apples can be kept in a closed airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 days. Sablé Breton cookies can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

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This is an edited extract from Dominique Ansel: The Secret Recipes from the World Famous New York Bakery, by Dominique Ansel, published by Murdoch Books, NZ, RRP$49.99, available now.