📖 Instructions

1. Prepare the Crust: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon salt. Add 1 cup (2 sticks) of cold, unsalted butter, cubed, and use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. It's important that the butter is cold to achieve a flaky crust.
2. Add Wet Ingredients to Crust: Gradually add 6-8 tablespoons of ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can result in a tough crust. The dough should be slightly shaggy but hold together when pressed.
3. Chill the Crust: Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. Chilling the dough allows the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up, resulting in a flakier crust.
4. Prepare Apple Filling: While the dough is chilling, peel, core, and thinly slice 6-8 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji). In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples with 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Toss gently to coat evenly. Make sure all the apples are properly coated for the best results.
5. Add Sparkling Cider to Apple Filling: Pour 1/2 cup of sparkling cider over the apple mixture and toss gently to combine. The cider will add a lovely tang and moistness to the filling. You can also use hard apple cider for a stronger flavor.
6. Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer the dough to a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Trim any excess dough from the edges and crimp the edges to create a decorative border. If you dont have a tart pan use a pie dish, it'll work just fine.
7. Arrange Apple Slices: Arrange the apple slices in a decorative pattern over the tart crust. You can create concentric circles or a spiral pattern. Be creative and have fun with it!
8. Bake the Tart: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the tart for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, you can cover the edges with foil or a pie shield.
9. Cool and Serve: Let the tart cool completely on a wire rack before serving. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.