Tarte Tatin with Brandy Cream

1. 1

   Peel the apples and scoop out the cores with a teaspoon, cut the stalks out with a sharp knife.

2. 2

   Put the sugar in the pan, together with 25ml water, place on a medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and is beginning to bubble.

3. 3

   Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract.

4. 4

   Place the apple halves in the pan, first coating them in the caramel, cut sides up.

5. 5

   Fill in any big gaps with smaller pieces of apple.

6. 6

   Return the pan to the heat and cook gently for 5 minutes, shaking the pan a couple of times.

7. 7

   Allow to cool completely.

8. 8

   Roll the pastry out, place it on top of the apples and trim round the edges so there is an overlap.

9. 9

   You can put the tarte in the fridge at this stage and cook it later.

10. 10

    Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6 and cook the tarte for about 30 minutes until the pastry is golden and the caramel is bubbling around the sides.

11. 11

    Put a large plate over the top of the pan and quickly, with oven gloves, invert the tarte on to it.

12. 12

    At this stage I put the tarte back in the oven to crisp up the sides a little, but you can serve it straight away.

13. 13

    To make the brandy cream, simply mix together the creme fraiche, icing sugar and calvados.

14. 14

    Serve the tarte in slices with a dollop of cream.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.