There is something truly magical about the blend of sweet apples, creamy brie, and golden honey nestled inside a crisp, buttery pastry shell. The Apple, Brie, and Honey Tarts Recipe captures that harmony perfectly, delivering a dish that is at once elegant and entirely comforting. Whether you’re preparing a cozy gathering or simply craving a special treat for yourself, these tarts offer a delightful combination of flavors and textures that dance beautifully on the palate. From the tender caramelized onions to the fresh thyme and flaky sea salt on top, every bite tells a story of warmth, sweetness, and rich creaminess.

The image shows four small round tarts with golden, flaky crusts placed on pieces of old newspaper on a white marbled surface. Each tart has visible layers of melted cheese, slices of pale yellow pear, dark bits that look like sun-dried tomatoes, and some green herbs sprinkled on top. A woman's hand is holding a wooden honey dipper, dripping golden honey over the tart in the middle. Fresh green sprigs of rosemary and thyme are scattered around the tarts. In the background, there is a small jar of honey and a red bowl, both out of focus. The light is natural and soft, highlighting the textures and colors of the tarts and honey. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe is all about simple, fresh ingredients that do all the heavy lifting in creating unforgettable taste and texture. Each component plays a vital role in building layers of flavor and a visually inviting presentation.

All-purpose flour: The base for our tender, flaky tart crust that holds everything together perfectly.
Kosher salt: Enhances the flavors, balancing sweetness and richness throughout the tart.
Salted butter: Cold and cubed for the crust, this adds that irresistible buttery flakiness crucial to a great tart.
Ice cold water: Helps bring the crust dough together without melting the butter—key for flakiness.
Egg + egg wash: Used both in the dough for structure and brushed on top for a beautiful golden finish.
Salted butter (for onions): Essential in gently caramelizing the onions, adding savory depth.
Small onion: Thinly sliced, caramelized onions give a rich sweetness and complexity to this tart.
Granulated sugar: A pinch to speed along the onion caramelization and deepen flavor.
Dry white wine: Adds a subtle acidity and complexity to the onions, elevating the overall flavor.
Sweet apples: Peeled and thinly sliced, they provide juicy sweetness and a lovely tender texture.
Brie cheese: Creamy and mild, the cheese melts gorgeously, pairing wonderfully with apples and onions.
Parmesan cheese: Grated on top for a sharp contrast, introducing a nutty and savory element.
Fresh thyme leaves: Sprinkled on after baking to add herbaceous brightness and aroma.
Flaky sea salt & freshly cracked pepper: Finishing touches that highlight every subtle flavor note.
Honey: Drizzled on warm tarts for that irresistible kiss of natural sweetness.

How to Make Apple, Brie, and Honey Tarts Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Flaky Tart Crust

Start by whisking together the flour and kosher salt. Then, cut cold salted butter into the mixture until pea-sized crumbs form—this is crucial for that flaky texture. Slowly add ice-cold water, one tablespoon at a time, just until the dough holds together without being sticky. Shape into two discs, wrap tightly, and chill for at least an hour to keep the butter cold and the dough firm.

Step 2: Caramelize the Onions with Care

While your dough chills, gently melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat and toss in thinly sliced onions. Cook until translucent, then sprinkle sugar and a pinch of salt to draw out their natural sweetness. Deglaze the pan with dry white wine, allowing it to simmer and transform those onions into sticky, deeply browned, deeply flavorful caramelized jewels in about 30 minutes. This step builds a rich foundation for your tart fillings.

Step 3: Roll, Cut, and Chill Your Tart Shells

Preheat your oven to 400° F (204° C). Roll out your chilled dough on a floured surface to a 12-inch circle and cut out nine 4-inch rounds. Press these rounds into tart pans, folding the edges inward for a sturdier crust rim. Don’t forget to prick the bottoms with a fork to avoid bubbling. Chill the tart shells again for 20 minutes so they hold their shape while baking.

Step 4: Layer Onions, Apples, and Cheese

Brush the chilled crusts with an egg wash to ensure a golden crust. Layer in the caramelized onions, then alternate slices of sweet apples and creamy brie cheese. Top each tart with a generous sprinkle of grated parmesan. This combination will melt and meld beautifully in the oven, creating irresistible layers of flavor and texture.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden and Melty

Bake your tarts for 20 to 25 minutes or until the crust is a perfect golden brown and the cheeses have melted and browned slightly on top. Keep an eye on them as each oven bakes differently, but you want that signature blind spot between a crisp shell and a gooey, flavorful interior.

Step 6: Finish with Fresh Touches

Remove your tarts from the oven and while still warm, sprinkle fresh thyme leaves, flaky sea salt, and cracked black pepper over the tops. Drizzle each one with honey to enhance the natural sweetness and bring everything together in a luscious, inviting bite.

How to Serve Apple, Brie, and Honey Tarts Recipe

The image shows three small round tarts placed on pieces of torn vintage newspaper on a white marbled surface. Each tart has a golden-brown, slightly flaky crust forming the base layer. Inside, there is a melted yellow cheese layer with a glossy texture. On top of the cheese, there are thin, light yellow apple slices arranged in a semi-circle on two tarts and a smile-shape on the third tart. Scattered pieces of crispy caramelized onion add dark brown and slightly blackened patches around the apples and cheese. Small green herb leaves, likely thyme, are sprinkled on top, enhancing texture and color contrast. To the side, there is a wooden honey dipper resting partly in golden honey, with some sprigs of fresh herbs scattered nearby for decoration. The whole setup is warm and rustic. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh thyme leaves are the perfect finishing touch, offering an herbaceous note that cuts through the richness. A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt and freshly cracked pepper adds texture and depth. Finally, a gentle drizzle of honey creates a glossy, sweet finish that makes these tarts look as good as they taste.

Side Dishes

These tarts shine as appetizers or light meals alongside a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or a bowl of rich butternut squash soup. They also pair beautifully with roasted vegetables or a glass of dry white wine to complement the caramelized notes and creamy cheese.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve your Apple, Brie, and Honey Tarts Recipe on a rustic wooden board for a charming fall gathering or as elegant individual servings on small plates garnished with microgreens. Adding a small ramekin of honey and a sprig of thyme nearby invites guests to customize their tart experience beautifully.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover tarts can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. For best texture, let them come to room temperature or gently rewarm before serving to enjoy the buttery crust and melty cheese at their best.

Freezing

You can freeze unbaked tart shells after shaping them for up to one month. Just wrap them well in plastic wrap and foil for protection. When ready to bake, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before adding the filling and baking as usual to maintain that beautiful flaky crust.

Reheating

To bring your tarts back to life, reheat them in a 350° F (175° C) oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through and the crust regains its crispness. Avoid the microwave as it can make the pastry soggy and the cheese lose its luscious texture.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of cheese instead of brie?

Absolutely! While brie offers a creamy, mild flavor that pairs beautifully with apples and honey, you can also try Camembert, Havarti, or a mild goat cheese for a similar texture and tang.

What apple variety is best for this tart?

Sweet apples like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Jonathan work best because they bring natural sweetness that balances the savory cheese and caramelized onions without turning mushy during baking.

Is it necessary to use white wine in the caramelized onions?

The white wine adds a subtle acidity and rich flavor but you can omit it if you prefer. Simply cook the onions a bit longer to deepen their caramelization flavor and add a splash of apple cider vinegar if you’d like to replicate some acidity.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! The dough can be made and refrigerated for up to three days before rolling out. This makes it a fantastic recipe to prepare in stages and have a delicious appetizer ready on demand.

How do I prevent the crust from getting soggy?

Pricking the tart shells with a fork before filling helps avoid bubbling. Also, chilling the dough twice—the first time before rolling and the second time after shaping—helps the butter stay cold and the crust crisp during baking.

Final Thoughts

There is nothing quite as satisfying as biting into a warm, flaky tart filled with the sweet-tart juiciness of apples, the silkiness of melted brie, and the delicate sweetness of honey. The Apple, Brie, and Honey Tarts Recipe is a wonderful way to celebrate simple ingredients that come alive together in such a comforting and sophisticated way. I hope you’ll take the time to make these tarts and share them with people you love—because good food like this is always better when enjoyed together.