Easy, yet impressive is the motto over here on the blog. These apple tarts are just that. I recently hosted a small dinner party of four and did not want to fuss over the dessert after making a full dinner. This was the perfect recipe for that. The store-bought puff pastry does all the work. I cut them into four squares, top them with sliced apples, sprinkle some sugar and dot with butter. They puff up in the oven, and get brushed with whatever jam you have to create a beautiful glaze. The individual tarts are so special; no one will know it actually took very little effort!

Serves 4.

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 2 small Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced thin (about 1/4 inch thin)
• 6 tbsp sugar
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 6 tbsp jam (any kind, but try to pick one that will complement the apple flavor of the tarts)
• 4 tsp water

Recipe:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Cut the sheet of puff pastry into four squares. Arrange the apple slices diagonally in the center of each square overlapping each other, and fill the remaining spots on the sides with an apple slice. Sprinkle the sugar all over the apples and dot each pastry with the butter. Bake for 30 minutes, until the pastry and edges of the apples start to brown. Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack.

3. Warm up the jam with the water in a small saucepan over medium-low or medium heat until it begins to simmer (you’re just softening up the jam here). Remove from the heat. Brush the apples with the jam/water mixture while the tarts are still warm (you may not need to use it all). Allow to cool, and serve.