APPLE FILLING
2 lb Golden delicious apples
1/2 c Sugar
3 tb Butter
2 tb Lemon juice
2 tb Dark rum
-BRETON DOUGH-
1 c Butter
1 c Sugar
1 ts Vanilla extract
1 tb Dark rum, optional
4 Egg yolks
———————VARIATION:BRETON WALNUT TART———————
WALNUT FILLING
2 3/4 c All-purpose flour
1/2 c Light brown sugar
1/4 c Butter
1/3 c Honey
2 c Walnut pieces
– coarsely chopped
Try substituting firm-ripe peaches for the apples in this filling for
a seasonal variation. FOR THE APPLE FILLING: PEEL, CORE AND SLICE THE
apples into a large saucepan. Add the remaining ingredients and cook
the apples covered until they exude their juices. Uncover the apples,
lower the heat and allow juices to evaporate. Cool the filling. FOR
THE BRETON DOUGH: BEAT THE BUTTER UNTIL SOFT using a hand mixer set
at medium speed or a heavy-duty mixer fitted with the paddle. Beat in
the sugar in a stream. Continue beating until the mixture lightens.
Beat in the rum and vanilla, then the yolks, one at a time, beating
until the mixture is very smooth and light. Using a rubber spatula,
fold in the flour by hand, until the dough is smooth. Preheat the
oven to 350F and set a rack in the lowest level. Butter a
10-by-2-inch-deep layer pan. Cut a disk of parchment or wax paper and
place in the bottom of the pan; butter the paper. Place half the
dough in the pan and use a spatula to spread it evenly over the
bottom of the pan. Spread the cooled filling on the dough. Flour the
remaining dough and press it into a 10-inch disk on a cardboard or
tart-pan bottom. Slide the dough over the filling and press it into
place making sure that the sides are straight and even. Brush the top
of the Breton with a beaten egg yolk. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until
well colored. Cool on a rack. VARIATION: BRETON WALNUT TART: FOR THE
WALNUT FILLING: BRING SUGAR, BUTTER AND HONEY to a boil, stirring
occasionally. Boil 2 minutes. Stir in walnuts and cool. Proceed as
for Breton Apple Tart, above.
Yields
10 Servings