I Made the Dessert Ina Garten Calls Her 'Best Recipe,' and She's Absolutely Right

Published on October 27, 2025

When you think of classic Barefoot Contessa recipes, Ina Garten's pound cake and perfect roast chicken may come to mind. But there is a new must-try dessert to add to the list. During an interview with Today, Ina Garten shared her all-time favorite recipe, a classic French Apple Tart. “I think the thing that I’ve made the most is the French Apple Tart,” Ina shared during the interview. She called the dish "simple and elegant." We tried the recipe in the Better Homes & Garden's Test Kitchen, and like all of Ina's recipes, it's fantastic.

How to Make a French Apple Tart

If the idea of tackling a French dessert feels overwhelming, Ina's French apple tart is sure to change your mind. According to Ina, "It's easy to make," and it only requires standard pantry ingredients. Here's a simple guide to preparing Ina's French apple tart recipe:

1. Make the Tart Dough: You just need five ingredients for a rich and buttery pastry. Ina's trick for quick preparation is using a food processor to blend the butter and flour swiftly. If a food processor isn't available, you can blend by hand. Aim for butter pieces about the size of peas.
2. Assemble Crust: Once the dough is chilled, press it evenly into a large baking pan. Place it back in the refrigerator to set.
3. Prep the Apples: The highlight of the process is arranging thin apple slices on the tart pastry in neat rows until covered. Sprinkle sugar over the apples, then add dabs of cold butter.
4. Bake and Finish: After baking, brush the warm tart with an apricot glaze. This dessert is delightful whether served warm or at room temperature.
   

What Does Ina's French Apple Tart Taste Like?

Unlike an apple pie enriched with cinnamon and other warm spices, this French apple tart highlights the fresh apple flavor. The buttery, flaky crust pairs perfectly with the tender apples, creating a balanced bite. An apricot glaze enhances the natural sweetness of the apples, adding a bright, fruity finish.

Tips for Making a French Apple Tart

Here are helpful tips we gathered while testing Ina's delightful dessert:

• Keep the dough well-chilled during preparation. Cold butter results in a flakier crust once baked.
• For uniform, thin apple slices, a mandoline is invaluable. Follow the manufacturer's safety guidelines closely to protect your hands while slicing.
• If Calvados apple liqueur is unavailable for the glaze, substituting water works wonderfully.
• Granny Smith apples, with their tart edge, complement the sugar beautifully and soften perfectly when baked. For a sweeter profile, consider using Honeycrisp apples instead.

The Verdict on Ina's French Apple Tart

Ina's French apple tart is a tantalizing treat. The crust is elegantly thin and flaky, while the apricot glaze is a delightful surprise, enhancing both the taste and appearance of the tart. As Ina promised, the recipe is straightforward to follow, making it a dessert worth trying again and again.