The Rose Apple Tart with Rose Water is the kind of dessert that you make when you truly want to impress, but also when you just want to treat yourself to something special. Each delicate apple slice is layered to look like a swirling rose, atop a rich and creamy almond-rose water custard, all hugged by a crisp, buttery crust. It’s a dazzling centerpiece for the dessert table—gorgeously golden, shimmering with apricot glaze, and scented with subtle floral notes that encourage that extra pause to admire before every bite.

Rose Apple Tart with Rose Water Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Rose Apple Tart with Rose Water relies on a handful of straightforward ingredients, each playing an important role in building those classic flavors and textures. Simple as it sounds, every element brings something—the buttery crust, the sweetly aromatic custard, and the gently spiced apples, all coming together harmoniously.

All-purpose flour: A sturdy yet tender base forms the foundation for the tart and supports your beautiful apple roses.
Unsalted butter, cold and cubed: Cold butter is key for creating a flaky, melt-in-your-mouth pastry crust.
Sugar: Just enough to lightly sweeten both the crust and the custard filling, letting the apples shine.
Salt: A pinch brings out all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.
Ice water: Helps the crust come together while keeping it light and crisp.
Red apples (Honeycrisp or Gala): These apples hold their shape and color beautifully, making them ideal for creating a striking rose effect.
Lemon juice: Prevents browning and gives the apples a hint of tang that brightens the whole tart.
Granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to the apple filling and custard.
Ground cinnamon: Provides a gentle warmth that pairs especially well with apples and rose water.
Rose water: The signature floral note of this tart; use sparingly for just a whisper of fragrance.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the custard’s flavor and brings a mellow sweetness.
Egg: Binds the custard and gives it that luxuriously smooth texture.
Heavy cream: Adds richness and gives the custard its silky body.
Apricot jam: A quick, glossy finish that brings shine and a delicate sweetness to the tart’s surface.

How to Make Rose Apple Tart with Rose Water

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

Start by making the foundation of your Rose Apple Tart with Rose Water. In a food processor, combine flour, sugar, and salt, pulsing a few times to mix. Add in the cold, cubed butter and pulse until the mixture is crumbly and pea-sized bits of butter remain—don’t overmix, as those little pieces ensure a tender crust. Drizzle in the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, pulsing only until the dough begins to come together. Gather the dough into a ball, press it into a disk, and chill for at least 30 minutes; this helps relax the gluten and makes rolling out much easier.

Step 2: Roll Out and Blind Chill the Dough

On a lightly floured surface, roll out your chilled dough to fit your tart pan, aiming for an even layer, about 1/8 inch thick. Press it gently into every corner of the pan and trim any overhang with a sharp knife. Chill the shell for another 15 minutes—this final rest keeps your crust crisp and helps prevent shrinking while baking.

Step 3: Prep the Apples

While your crust chills, core and thinly slice your apples. They should be paper-thin for easy layering and curling. Toss the slices in fresh lemon juice and a spoonful of sugar to stop them from turning brown and to infuse each piece with a bright, tart flavor. Microwave the apple slices for about 20 to 30 seconds, just until flexible; this step makes sculpting your rose pattern a breeze.

Step 4: Make the Almond-Rose Water Custard

For a fragrant custard that gels the whole tart together, whisk together the egg, heavy cream, remaining sugar, rose water, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. The blend of rose water and vanilla creates a balanced, inviting aroma that perfectly complements the apples without overwhelming their natural flavor.

Step 5: Assemble and Arrange the Apples

Pour the custard into your chilled tart shell. Now comes the artistic part—arrange your softened apple slices in overlapping concentric circles, starting from the outside and spiraling inward to form that signature rose pattern. Take your time and enjoy the process; this is when your Rose Apple Tart with Rose Water really starts to bloom.

Step 6: Bake the Tart

Bake your masterpiece in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 35 to 40 minutes. The crust will turn gently golden, and the custard will set, holding the apples in their beautiful rose shape. Try not to open the oven door too often—consistency is key for even baking.

Step 7: Glaze for Shine

Warm the apricot jam in a microwave or small saucepan, then brush it lightly over the tart as soon as it comes out of the oven. This finishing touch not only adds a glossy sheen but also accentuates the delicate apple colors and gives your Rose Apple Tart with Rose Water that patisserie window-worthy shine.

How to Serve Rose Apple Tart with Rose Water

Garnishes

Sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving, or add a few dried edible rose petals to enhance the tart’s floral flair. A dollop of softly whipped cream, perhaps scented with a drop more rose water, takes each slice from lovely to truly showstopping.

Side Dishes

This tart pairs beautifully with a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of crème fraîche to balance the sweetness and bring a cool, creamy counterpoint. A cup of floral tea, like hibiscus or white rose, will harmonize beautifully with the dessert’s subtle perfume.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, you can bake the tarts in mini tart pans for individual servings, each with its own apple rose. Or, serve slices atop a bed of thinly sliced fresh apples for added texture. Placing edible flower petals or a drizzle of raspberry coulis on the plate adds even more painterly elegance to each serving of your Rose Apple Tart with Rose Water.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store the tart covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. The crust will stay pleasantly crisp, and the filling just gets more flavorful as the floral notes deepen. Simply cover with foil or plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.

Freezing

You can freeze the fully baked and cooled Rose Apple Tart with Rose Water for up to one month. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. For best results, freeze whole tarts rather than individual slices, as this helps preserve both texture and shape.

Reheating

To reheat, allow the tart to thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Warm individual slices in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until just heated through. This revives the buttery crispness of the crust and gently warms the custard without overcooking the apples.

FAQs

Can I use green apples instead of red for the Rose Apple Tart with Rose Water?

Absolutely! Green apples will bring a pleasant tartness and create a slightly different look for your rose design. Just be sure to slice them very thin, as they can be less pliable than their red-skinned counterparts.

Is rose water easy to find, and what should I look for?

Rose water can usually be found in the international aisle of well-stocked grocery stores, Middle Eastern grocers, or online. Choose a food-grade rose water, and remember— a little goes a long way for the delicate floral signature of your Rose Apple Tart with Rose Water.

Can I make the tart crust in advance?

Yes, making the crust ahead is a great time-saver. Prepare and chill the dough up to two days before baking, or freeze the unbaked crust in the tart pan for up to a month. Just let it warm slightly before rolling or baking.

What’s the best way to cut thin apple slices for the rose design?

Use a sharp chef’s knife or a mandoline slicer to get apple slices as thin and even as possible. Thin slices are the secret to pliable petals that curl neatly and stay put as you spiral toward the center of your Rose Apple Tart with Rose Water.

How can I prevent my apples from browning?

Tossing the apples in lemon juice immediately after slicing helps keep their pretty color vibrant. The gentle microwave softening step also helps, but quick assembly is key to keeping your rose pattern picture-perfect.

Final Thoughts

If you love desserts that are just as beautiful as they are delicious, you absolutely owe it to yourself to make this Rose Apple Tart with Rose Water. It’s the kind of project that feels extra special, and the wow factor when you bring it to the table is unbeatable. Treat yourself and your loved ones to this edible bouquet—you’ll remember every bite.

Rose Apple Tart with Rose Water Recipe