I’m a huge fan of the tarte tatin – that upside down pie started on the stovetop and baked in a skillet, then inverted onto a platter with caramel dripping from the apples down the sides. It’s a delicious mess, and a perfect dessert to make when you don’t have a lot of time but want something rustic, comforting, and totally fantastic. It’s good with pears too – they’re a bit juicier, so anticipate more drips.

Maple Apple Tarte Tatin

adapted from Canadian Living

4 apples
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup maple syrup

pastry for a single crust pie

Core the apples and cut them into 8 wedges (one of those apple slicers works perfectly) – don’t worry about peeling them. Preheat the oven to 425°F.

In a 9-10″ cast-iron skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat; add sugar and cook, stirring, until bubbly and just turning golden, about 2 minutes. Add maple syrup; cook, stirring, until everything is dissolved. Remove from the heat and arrange apples, flat side down, in concentric circles in the syrup.

Return to medium-low heat and cook, basting with a spoon, until apples the begin to soften and syrup starts to thicken, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat.

Meanwhile, on lightly floured surface, roll out pastry to a 10″ circle; drape over the apples, pressing the edge of the pastry down between the apples and the pan. Cut a few steam vents in the top.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown. Let stand for 10 minutes, then run a thin knife around the edge and invert the tarte onto a platter or plate. Replace any apples that may stick to pan and scrape out any leftover sauce, pouring it over the apples. Serve warm.