This Apple Cranberry Tart is the perfect balance of sweet and tart, featuring a crisp oatmeal crust and a filling of fresh apples and whole cranberries with a hint of cinnamon. With its texture similar to a granola bar, it’s versatile enough to enjoy for breakfast or dessert. It’s a wholesome treat that’s both satisfying and delicious.
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I have made many delicious apple recipes throughout the years and this recipe tops my list, as it has simple ingredients, and it is one of the desserts that my husband prefers every fall instead of a classic apple pie. Similar to an apple oat cake, this recipe can also be a healthy breakfast cake!
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I was gifted this recipe from my dear friend Andrea who passed away a few years ago. She served this Apple Tart for the Jewish holidays in September.
I have been making this delicious dessert every fall. My husband loves the outside of this torte, which tastes like a granola bar, and I love the gooey inside. If you add this to your healthy apple recipes this fall, let me know what you think!
Loving fall apples like I do, I also love making these easy Honeycrisp Baked Apples, Apple Cider Float, or Apple Cinnamon Smoothie.
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes:
Apples - while I don't list which type of apple to use, I have used Cortland apples, granny smith apples, pink lady apples, or any other varieties of apples successfully in this recipe. Tart apples will be slightly better tasting than sweet apples, however, you can whichever type of apple you prefer. I love to go apple picking and this is one of the best ways to use up those apples!
See the recipe card for quantities.
Variations
- Butter - in order to make this recipe Pareve for kosher meals, substitute the butter for margarine or another plant-based butter.
- Gluten-free - I make this gluten-free by subbing out the flour for an all-purpose gluten-free flour. My favorite brand is Cup-For-Cup.
- Cranberries - I use a canned cranberry sauce. It's simple and easy. I like Ocean Spray. However, I have also taken fresh or frozen (defrosted) cranberries and added some sugar to them, allowing them to sit for 20 minutes, before adding them to the apples.
- Caramel - You can add a jarred caramel sauce to this recipe. It will make the end result fairly sweet and add a completely different flavor. It will be more like caramel apples with cranberry notes.
- Serving - My hubby loves to eat this with a scoop of vanilla ice cream but I am happy to eat it plain. You can also serve this with whipped cream.
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How to make this Apple Cranberry Tart: Step-By-Step
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Coat a 9" springform pan with nonstick spray.
Prepare the crust by combining flour, brown sugar, oatmeal, butter, and cinnamon.
Step 2: Reserve 1 ½ cups of the mixture. Press the remaining mix into the prepared pan and halfway up the sides of the pan.
Step 3: Combine the apples, cranberry sauce, and flour. Mix well. Pour the apple mixture onto the crust. Sprinkle the reserved crust mixture over the top. Use the back of the spoon to gently press the mixture so that they cover the top and meet the crust that is coming up the sides of the pan in order to completely enclose the filling.
Step 4: Bake for 40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
Hint: I use a 9" springform pan. I also like to add a layer of parchment paper on the bottom of a pan that has been already sprayed with nonstick spray. This will help lift the cake off the bottom of the pan when finished.
Top tip
Make sure you encase the filling with the crust. If you leave any spaces surrounding the torte, the filling will leak out.
Tortes versus Tarts
Typically a tart does not have a top crust and a torte has an enclosed filling, which would make this recipe an Apple Cranberry Torte. However, most tortes are almost cake-like, which this recipe isn't.
This tart is similar to having a granola bar crust with a cranberry and apple pie filling. Or, similar to an apple crisp with a delicious oatmeal crust or oatmeal cookies with an apple filling. It makes a great dessert to serve for company and the best part is that it will always be one of the most unique apple recipes that your friends and family won't see on every table.
It was first featured in the cookbook Kosher By Design written by Susie Fishbein. This recipe is wonderful fall or winter recipe and I love eating it for breakfast with my Iced Pumpkin Spiced Latte.
Are you looking for a gluten-free apple dessert? These gluten free apple pie bars are another delicious option.
Storage
- Store - Store the finished torte covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. I do not recommend making this recipe ahead of time if you are serving this for company. It is best eaten the day it is made as the crust on the sides will become slightly damp.
- Freeze - This recipe is not good when frozen.
- Reheat - You can reheat the cake in the microwave for 15-30 seconds or place it in the oven on low heat for 10 minutes before serving.
FAQ
This recipe for a cranberry apple torte makes a terrific way to use up apples that are going bad. The apples create a filling that is super delicious!
If you would like to extend the shelf life of your apples, place them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. Apple prefer refrigeration.
One of the sweetest apples around, this Midwestern favorite variety is good for baking. It has a distinctively juicy crispness and is firm enough that it won't cook down much. It works well in this recipe.
Other Desserts
Did you try this recipe? I would love to hear about it! Scroll down to the comment section and leave a ⭐️ rating and review. Share it on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
xoxoxo
Gwen
Apple Cranberry Tart
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Equipment
Ingredients
Crust:
- 2 cups all purpose flour sifted
- 2 cups dark brown sugar
- 1 ½ cups oatmeal quick cooking
- 1 cup butter melted
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon ground
Filling:
- 4 apples peeled and cut into small chunks
- 1 16 oz can whole berry cranberry sauce
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour sifted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Farenheit.
- Coat a 9" springform pan with nonstick spray and parchment paper (if you prefer).
Crust:
- Mix 2 cups of flour, brown sugar, oats, butter, and cinnamon in a large bowl.
- Reserve 1 ½ cups of the mixture to use for the top.
- Place the remainder of the mixture into the prepared pan, pressing the mixture halfway up the sides of the pan as well.
Filling:
- Combine the apples, cranberry sauce, and 2 tablespoons of the flour. Mix well in a medium size bowl.
- Pour the apple mixture into the prepared crust.
- Sprinkle the reserved crust over the filling.
- Spread the reserved crust evenly over the top meeting the crust halfway down the sides of the pan. This will create a completely enclosed filling.
- Bake for 40 minutes.
Barbara Asher says
This torte is nothing short of amazing. I have made it 3 times in the last 2 months, and it was a hit. Even beat out the Thanksgiving pumpkin pie. And totally easy to make. It will be my go to dessert recipe from now on. Thanks Gwen.
Gwen says
yay!