Gluten-Free Caramel Apple Tart

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Golden, caramel-glossed apples nestled into a creamy filling and a crisp, buttery gluten-free crust – this tart is the kind of dessert that makes the whole house smell like fall. Every slice feels like something you’d order at a cozy café, only this version is completely gluten-free and easy enough for a relaxed weekend bake.

The crust is tender but sturdy, the apples bake up soft with just the right bite, and a final drizzle of caramel gives every forkful a gorgeous sheen and deep, buttery sweetness. Whether you serve it warm with ice cream or chilled with a cup of coffee, this Gluten-Free Caramel Apple Tart is pure comfort in a pan.

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Why You’ll Love This Gluten-Free Caramel Apple Tart

This dessert balances everything you love about classic apple pie with the polish of a bakery-style tart. The naturally sweet apples and caramel topping mean you don’t need an overly sugary crust or filling, so the flavors of fruit, butter, and warm spice can really shine.

Because the crust uses a gluten-free all-purpose blend and a bit of almond flour, it bakes up flaky and flavorful instead of dry or crumbly. No one will guess it’s gluten-free unless you tell them. And since the filling is mixed in one bowl and poured right into the par-baked crust, the whole tart comes together with minimal fuss.

It’s also incredibly versatile: serve it as a holiday showstopper, a make-ahead dessert for guests, or a special brunch treat. You can even bake it the day before and simply warm individual slices when it’s time to serve.

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What Kind of Crust Works Best for a Gluten-Free Caramel Apple Tart?

For this tart, a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that already contains xanthan gum gives the most reliable, tender results. The addition of finely ground almond flour adds a delicate nuttiness and helps the crust brown beautifully.

A press-in tart crust is especially forgiving for gluten-free baking because you don’t have to worry about rolling and transferring delicate dough. You simply mix, press, chill, and par-bake. If you prefer, you can use a store-bought gluten-free pie crust or tart shell—just make sure it’s labeled gluten-free and pre-bake according to package directions before adding the filling.

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Ingredients

To build this tart, you’ll layer a gluten-free crust, a creamy filling, tender spiced apples, and a buttery crumble, all finished with caramel sauce. Each component has a job to do, and together they create a dessert that’s rich but not heavy.

• Gluten-free all-purpose flour blend – Forms the base of the crust; choose a blend with xanthan gum for structure and tenderness.
• Finely ground almond flour – Adds a subtle nutty flavor and helps the crust brown and stay tender.
• Granulated sugar – Lightly sweetens the crust and helps it crisp at the edges.
• Brown sugar – Deepens flavor in both the filling and toppings with a hint of molasses.
• Unsalted butter – Provides richness, flakiness in the crust, and a buttery crumble topping.
• Salt – Balances sweetness and enhances all the warm flavors.
• Ground cinnamon – Adds classic apple pie warmth to the crust and apples.
• Ground nutmeg or allspice – Brings a cozy, spicy depth to the apple layer.
• Cream cheese – Creates a smooth, tangy base for the filling that supports the apples.
• Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt – Lightens the filling’s texture and adds gentle tang.
• Large eggs – Bind the filling and help the tart set cleanly when baked.
• Pure vanilla extract – Rounds out the flavors in the filling and complements the caramel.
• Crisp baking apples (like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Pink Lady) – Hold their shape while baking and keep a pleasant sweet-tart flavor.
• Fresh lemon juice – Prevents the sliced apples from browning and brightens the overall flavor.
• Gluten-free rolled oats or extra almond flour – Give the crumble topping a bit of texture and crunch.
• Chopped pecans or walnuts (optional) – Add crunch and nutty flavor to the center crumble.
• Prepared caramel sauce (gluten-free) – Finishes the tart with a glossy, sweet drizzle; use your favorite jarred caramel or homemade sauce.
• Powdered sugar (optional) – A light dusting over the crust edge adds a pretty bakery-style finish.

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How To Make the Gluten-Free Caramel Apple Tart

Once you break the recipe into a few simple parts—crust, filling, apples, and topping—the whole tart feels much more manageable. Give yourself enough time to chill and par-bake the crust so it stays crisp under the creamy filling.

Step 1: Prepare the Gluten-Free Tart Crust

Start by whisking together the gluten-free flour blend, almond flour, granulated sugar, salt, and a pinch of cinnamon. Cut in cold cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with a few pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.

Add a beaten egg and just enough cold water for the dough to hold together when pressed between your fingers. Tip the dough into a removable-bottom tart pan and press it evenly across the base and up the sides. Chill the crust until firm, then dock the bottom with a fork and par-bake until the edges are lightly golden.

Step 2: Mix the Creamy Filling

While the crust bakes, beat the cream cheese until smooth, then blend in brown sugar until there are no lumps. Add the sour cream, eggs, vanilla, and a pinch of salt, mixing just until the mixture is silky and combined.

Pour the filling into the warm par-baked crust and gently smooth it into an even layer. The filling should be thick but pourable, similar to a cheesecake batter.

Step 3: Slice and Season the Apples

Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. Toss them with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg or allspice until every slice is lightly coated.

Arrange the apples in slightly overlapping concentric circles over the filling, starting from the outer edge and working your way toward the center. This creates a beautiful fan pattern that looks impressive once baked.

Step 4: Add the Crumble Topping

In a small bowl, stir together gluten-free rolled oats (or extra almond flour), brown sugar, chopped nuts if you’re using them, a pinch of salt, and melted butter. The mixture should look like damp, clumpy sand.

Sprinkle the crumble over the center of the tart, leaving the outer apple slices mostly exposed. This gives you a pretty contrast of glossy apple slices and a crunchy, buttery middle.

Step 5: Bake Until Set and Golden

Return the tart to the oven and bake until the filling is set around the edges with a slight wobble in the center and the apples are tender. If the crust or apple tips start to brown too quickly, loosely tent the tart with foil.

Let the tart cool on a wire rack until just warm or at room temperature. Cooling allows the filling to fully set and makes slicing much easier.

Step 6: Finish with Caramel and Serve

Right before serving, warm the caramel sauce slightly so it’s pourable. Drizzle it generously over the apples and crumble, letting some caramel drip into the crevices.

Dust the crust edge with a bit of powdered sugar if you like, then slice the tart into wedges. Serve as is or with vanilla ice cream or lightly whipped cream for an extra-indulgent dessert.

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Serving This Gluten-Free Caramel Apple Tart

A 9-inch tart will comfortably serve about 8 generous slices or up to 10 smaller portions, making it perfect for family dinners, holiday gatherings, or a dessert-and-coffee night with friends.

Serve the tart slightly warm for a soft, custardy filling and melty caramel, or chill it for a firmer, cheesecake-like texture. Both versions are delicious—warm slices pair beautifully with vanilla ice cream, while chilled slices go well with hot coffee, tea, or even a spiced latte.

This tart also makes a stunning addition to a brunch spread. Pair smaller wedges with eggs, bacon, and fruit for a sweet note on the table without feeling too heavy.

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How to Store Gluten-Free Caramel Apple Tart

Because of the creamy filling and fresh fruit, this tart should be stored in the refrigerator rather than at room temperature. Once the tart has cooled completely, cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or transfer slices to an airtight container.

Refrigerated, the tart keeps well for about 3 days. The crust will gradually soften, but the flavors meld and deepen, and the caramel soaks gently into the apples for an even more indulgent dessert.

For longer storage, you can freeze individual slices. Place the slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid, then wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen tart slices keep for up to 2 months.

To serve from frozen, thaw slices overnight in the refrigerator, then warm briefly in a low oven or enjoy chilled. If you know you’ll be freezing the tart, wait to drizzle caramel until after thawing so it stays silky and glossy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this tart completely ahead of time?

Yes, this tart is very make-ahead friendly. You can prepare and bake the entire tart up to a day in advance, then refrigerate it once cooled. Wait to drizzle the caramel until shortly before serving so it looks fresh and glossy.

If you’d like to get a head start, you can also make the crust dough a day ahead, press it into the pan, and keep it chilled until you’re ready to par-bake and assemble.

Which apples are best for a caramel apple tart?

Firm, crisp apples that hold their shape during baking are ideal. Varieties like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, and Braeburn all work wonderfully. Using a mix of sweet and tart apples gives the tart deeper flavor.

Avoid apples that become very soft and mushy in the oven, as they can lose their shape and release too much juice into the filling.

How do I keep the crust from getting soggy?

Par-baking the crust is the key to keeping it crisp. Dock the crust with a fork, line it with parchment, and use pie weights or dried beans during the first part of baking so it doesn’t puff.

You can also brush the warm par-baked crust with a thin layer of beaten egg or melted butter before adding the filling. This creates a light barrier that helps protect the crust from moisture.

Is this tart completely gluten-free?

Yes—as long as each ingredient you use is certified gluten-free. Be sure your flour blend, oats, caramel sauce, and any add-ins like nuts have not been processed on shared equipment with wheat if you’re baking for someone with celiac disease or a strong gluten sensitivity.

Double-check labels and, when in doubt, choose products that are clearly marked gluten-free.

Can I make this dairy-free as well?

You can adapt the tart to be dairy-free with a few swaps. Use a dairy-free butter substitute in the crust and crumble, and replace the cream cheese and sour cream with your favorite dairy-free cream cheese and thick dairy-free yogurt.

Choose a dairy-free caramel sauce, or make a coconut milk–based caramel at home. Keep in mind that the texture may be slightly different, but the tart will still be rich, creamy, and delicious.

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Want More Dessert Ideas?

If this Gluten-Free Caramel Apple Tart has you craving more cozy sweets, you’ll love these other apple-forward favorites from the site:

• Rustic Honeycrisp Apple Galette – A free-form, rustic tart with tender apples and flaky pastry.
• Apple Crisp with Oats – A classic, comforting crisp with a buttery oat topping.
• Apple Crisp Cheesecake – Creamy cheesecake topped with spiced apples and crunchy crumble.
• Easy Apple Pie – A go-to, no-fuss pie for any occasion.

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Save This Pin For Later

📌 Add this Gluten-Free Caramel Apple Tart to your favorite dessert board so you can find it whenever the craving for caramel and apples hits.

Make it once as written, then have fun putting your own spin on it—try mixing apple varieties, adding extra nuts to the crumble, or pairing each slice with a different ice cream flavor. If you have questions or want ideas for ingredient swaps, drop them in the comments so we can bake through them together.

For even more sweet inspiration and everyday meal ideas, follow Life With Livia on Pinterest where new recipes are shared all week long.

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