French Tarte Tatin Recipe

Tarte Tatin, the delicious French apple cake is a traditional French dessert served in France and throughout the world. Its distinctive caramelised apple was apparently created by mistake by the Tatin sisters who served it in their hotel.  It is made with a crisp buttery crust and sliced apple (or sometimes pear) caramelised in butter and sugar and  served upside down. 

History of the Tarte Tatin

The Tatin sisters, Caroline and Stephanie, who ran a restaurant near Orleans at the beginning of the 20th Century are given the credit for inventing this famous French dish but whether they actually invented it or made it famous, we'll never know.  The story goes that while cooking for guests at their hotel-restaurant, the Tatin sisters accidentally dropped the tarte and baked it upside down. Another story goes that they accidentally baked it for too long and therefore created the delicious caramelised flavour. The tarte tatin also rose to popularity being served at Maxim's Restaurant in Paris. The dessert was first offered at the luxury restaurant in 1926.