In the UK and Ireland (only part of Ireland is actually part of the UK) the cooking apple of choice is the Bramley Apple. It is so sour that it is generally cooked and not eaten raw like other apples. That’s one of the reasons that apple dishes from those regions are so good. Unfortunately, these apples aren’t grown in the United States, so we have to substitute Granny Smith apples. Granny Smith apples make good dishes, but not quite the same as the Bramleys. The following Irish Apple Shortbread Tart is a cross between a tart and shortbread cookie. It is easy to put together, and is good for several days after baking.

If you want to dress up the tart, you can add sweetened whipped cream or high quality ice cream.


10 Servings

2 pounds tart cooking apples such as Bramley or Granny Smith, Cored, peeled, and cut into small dice (4-6 cups)
6 tablespoons brown sugar

Crust:
2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, cut into chunks
1 egg
3 1/2 ounces milk, (scant 1/2 cup)

Powdered sugar, for sprinkling on finished tart

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray the bottom of a 9" springform pan with non-stick spray, cover it with parchment, and spray the parchment.
2. Mix the cooking apples with brown sugar, stir, and set aside.
3. Crust: Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Cut in the butter chunks until the mixture looks like small peas. Stir in the egg and milk; mix well.
4. Press half of the mixture evenly on the bottom of the prepared springform pan. Cover with the apples, including any juices. Break the remaining dough into small pieces and sprinkle over the apples.
5. Bake 50-60 minutes or until the tart is golden and the apples are tender. Remove from the oven, let sit 10 minutes, and unmold the tart onto a serving platter. Sprinkle with a little bit of powdered sugar and cut into wedges.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 304 Calories from Fat 96
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 31% Protein 5% Carb. 64%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 11 g
Saturated Fat 6 g
Cholesterol 47 mg
Sodium 241 mg
Total Carbohydrate 48 g
Dietary Fiber 2 g
Sugars 10 g
Protein 4 g

Vitamin A 9% Vitamin C 9% Calcium 0% Iron 4%