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This image shows a beautifully baked Alsatian Apple Flan in a round tart pan, golden brown with delicate apple slices nestled beneath a glossy custard top.

Alsatian Apple Flan Recipe

Alsatian Apple Flan is a rustic French dessert that combines a crisp shortcrust pastry with tender apple slices and a creamy custard filling. Delicately sweet and warmly spiced with cinnamon, this flan is a cozy, elegant treat perfect for gatherings or simple indulgence.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine French
Servings 8 people
Calories 377 kcal

Equipment

  • Food processor
  • Mixing bowls
  • 9-inch tart pan
  • Knife
  • Peeler
  • Hand mixer (or whisk)
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Oven

Ingredients
  

Apple tart filling

  • 2 medium eggs
  • 500 g apples
  • 2 g cinnamon powder
  • 100 g creme fraiche
  • 50 g flour
  • 2 ml vanilla extract
  • 115 g sugar

Shortcrust pastry

  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 tbsp ice cold water
  • 250 g flour
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 125 g butter

Instructions
 

  • To make the shortcrust pastry, combine the flour, salt, oil, and butter in a food processor and pulse until lumps form.
    This image shows flour, salt, oil, and butter blending together in a food processor to form the base of a tender tart dough.
  • Add the ice-cold water and mix again until the dough resembles coarse sand.
    This image shows the dough reaching a coarse sand texture as ice cold water is gently mixed in the food processor.
  • Shape it into a disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
    This image shows the finished dough pressed into a flat disc and neatly wrapped in plastic wrap, ready for chilling.
  • Once chilled, roll out and press the dough into a 9-inch tart pan.
    This image shows the dough rolled out and pressed perfectly into a 9-inch tart pan with fluted edges
  • Preheat your oven to 200°C (375°F).
    This image shows an oven preheating to the required temperature of 200°C (375°F), setting the stage for baking.
  • Peel, core, and slice the apples, then arrange them neatly over the pastry base.
  • In a bowl, whisk together flour, eggs, 1/3 cup sugar, and crème fraîche until smooth, using a hand mixer if available.
    This image shows thin apple slices artfully arranged over the tart base in a circular, overlapping pattern.
  • Pour this custard over the apples.
    This image shows a creamy custard being whisked together with flour, eggs, sugar, and luscious crème fraîche.
  • Mix the remaining sugar with cinnamon and sprinkle over the top.
  • Bake in the center of the oven for 40–45 minutes until golden.
  • Let the flan cool for at least 15 minutes, then transfer to a serving plate.
    This image shows smooth custard being gently poured over the arranged apple slices inside the tart shell.
  • Sprinkle with extra cinnamon sugar if desired, and serve.
    This image shows the finished flan sliced and plated, optionally dusted with cinnamon sugar for a warm, spiced finish.

Notes

  • For added flavor, use a mix of sweet and tart apples like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith.
  • Don’t overwork the pastry dough—minimal handling ensures a tender crust.
  • The custard sets better if the eggs are at room temperature.