Imagine a dessert so decadent, it transforms humble ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that will make your taste buds dance with joy! The Apple Charlotte is not just a dessert; it's a French culinary art form that combines crispy, buttery brioche with tender, spiced apples, all crowned with a luxurious toffee sauce that will have your dinner guests begging for the recipe. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a curious home cook, this show-stopping dessert promises to elevate your cooking game and impress even the most discerning palates.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 1 hrs
Total Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 6 large apples, peeled and cored
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 loaf of brioche, sliced
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup corn syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Butter a 9-inch round baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the apples by peeling, coring, and cutting them into thin slices. Toss the apple slices with sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice in a large mixing bowl, ensuring even coating.
- Trim the crusts from the brioche slices and cut them into triangular or rectangular shapes that will line the baking dish completely.
- Melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan. Brush each brioche slice generously with melted butter on both sides.
- Line the bottom and sides of the baking dish with the buttered brioche slices, overlapping them slightly to create a complete interior coating.
- Layer the spiced apple slices into the brioche-lined dish, pressing them gently to create a compact filling.
- Cover the top of the apple filling with more buttered brioche slices, ensuring the entire surface is sealed.
- Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 45-50 minutes, or until the brioche turns golden brown and crispy on top.
- While the charlotte is baking, prepare the toffee sauce by combining heavy cream, brown sugar, and corn syrup in a saucepan.
- Cook the toffee sauce over medium heat, stirring continuously until it reaches a smooth, glossy consistency and begins to thicken.
- Remove the Apple Charlotte from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before carefully inverting it onto a serving plate.
- Drizzle the warm toffee sauce generously over the Apple Charlotte just before serving.
- Slice and serve warm, accompanied by additional toffee sauce on the side if desired.
Tips
- Choose firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor balance.
- Make sure to butter the brioche slices generously - this ensures a golden, crispy exterior.
- Overlap the brioche slices carefully to create a complete seal, preventing apple filling from leaking.
- Let the Apple Charlotte rest for 10 minutes after baking to help it set and make unmolding easier.
- The toffee sauce should be smooth and glossy - constant stirring is key to preventing burning.
- Serve immediately for the best contrast between crispy brioche and warm, gooey toffee sauce.
- If you can't find brioche, a good quality white bread can be a suitable substitute.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 580kcal
Carbohydrates: 85g
Protein: 7g
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 17g
Cholesterol: 95mg
