Easy Caramel Apple Tart with Streusel Topping (Dairy-Free)

This Easy Caramel Apple Tart with Streusel Topping is a simple yet impressive dessert.

Featuring a tender homemade crust made with pantry staples, layers of thinly sliced cinnamon-spiced apples, and a generous drizzle of rich vegan caramel sauce, this dairy-free tart delivers all the cozy flavors of fall in every bite.

Why this recipe works

Whether you are baking for a holiday gathering, family dinner, or simply craving a comforting apple treat, this caramel apple tart is easy to make and impossible to resist.

Here is what else you will like about this recipe.

• Easy homemade crust: No butter or special equipment required—just mix, press, and bake.
• Perfect fall flavors: Sweet apples, warm cinnamon, and caramel create an irresistible combination.
• Crunchy Streusel Topping: Adds the perfect contrast to the soft apple filling, creating a dessert that's both rustic and elegant.
• Perfect any time of year: While especially popular during apple season, this tart is delicious whenever you're craving a cozy homemade dessert.

Have you tried my recipe for Apple Cobbler Dump Cake Recipe?

Made with just four ingredients, that fall inspired dessert has the perfect combination of a buttery apple pie with a simple cake. Both this Apple Tart and that Apple Dump Cake are great tasting fall inspired recipes that are made with apples.

To make this recipe fully vegan you will need vegan caramel sauce. You can find vegan caramel sauce here.

Ingredients Needed.

Base Layer.

• Flour Regular all purpose flour.
• Light Brown Sugar. Spooned and leveled.
• Vegetable Oil Another neutral oil, such as canola or avocado, can work.
• Water. Room temperature.
• Baking Powder. For a small amount of leavening.
• Salt. For flavor.

Filling

• Apples. Peeled, core and seeds removed. Cut each apple in half, slice the halves into slices that are about ⅛-1/4" thick.
• Lemon Juice Helps to prevent the sliced apples from browning and adds a subtle brightness that balances the sweetness.
• Ground Cinnamon. For a flavor accent.
• Caramel Sauce. Use a 'vegan' caramel sauce to keep this recipe fully vegan.

Crumble Topping.

• Light Brown Sugar. Lightly Packed.
• Flour. Regular all purpose flour.
• Neutral Oil Such as vegetable oil.
• Water. Room temperature.
• Salt.
• Ground Cinnamon.

How to Make Caramel Apple Tart with Streusel Topping

• Prep Time 15 minutes .
• Bake Time 30 minutes .
• Servings 16 .
• How to serve : This tart is delicious served warm, at room temperature, or chilled, making it a versatile dessert for any occasion.
• Notes: You will need a square baking pan (8x8" was used to make my tart), mixing bowls and whisks.

1. Prepare. Preheat your oven to 350° F/175C. Also, prep your baking pan for nonstick. Parchment paper should work in this recipe.
2. Base. To make the base layer, in a large mixing bowl, use a whisk to combine together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Then whisk in the oil and water, mixing until it forms a crumbly mixture. Transfer the ingredients into your prepared pan and press the ingredients into an even layer covering the bottom of the pan.
3. Crumble. In a clean bowl, use a clean whisk to combine together the flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon and salt. Once combined, add the oil and water to the bowl and mix until small crumbles form. You want there to be 'pea-sized' crumbles. You can use your hands if needed to make the crumbles once the ingredients have been 'just combined'.
4. Filling. In another clean bowl, toss together your sliced apples with the ground cinnamon and lemon juice.
5. Assemble. Arrange the apples on top of the base layer so that the base layer is fully covered with apples. Then drizzle caramel sauce over the apples so that each apple slice has caramel sauce on it. Sprinkle the topping over the apples so that the apples are evenly covered with the crumble topping.
6. Bake. Bake the apple tart for 30-35 minutes until set and browned on top.If the streusel starts browning too quickly before the apples are tender, you can loosely tent the tart with foil and continue baking until the apples are soft
7. Set. Allow the tart to fully set in the pan before slicing and serving.

Tips for making the best Apple Tart with Crumble Topping.

The best apples for this caramel apple tart are varieties that hold their shape during baking and offer a balance of sweet and tart flavors. I like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Braeburn, and Fuji apples. For a recipe like this one, I use a combination of sweet and tart apples.

More helpful tips for you.

1. Slice the apples into uniformly sized slices to ensure that they cook evenly and become tender at the same time. Also, do not forget to toss the apples in the lemon juice to prevent browning.
2. Your tart is done baking when the streusel topping is golden brown and lightly crisp around the edges, the filling is tender when pierced with a knife or fork, and the crust edges are lightly golden and no longer look pale or doughy. The filling is bubbling slightly in spots, indicating the apples have cooked and released their juices.
3. Let the caramel apple tart cool for at least 20–30 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to fully set (for cleaner slices, the caramel to thicken, and the crust and streusel topping to get crisp.

FAQ

• Do I need to peel the apples?
  Peeling the apples is recommended for the best texture, but you can leave the skins on if you prefer a more rustic tart.
• What if I don't have light brown sugar?
  You can use dark brown sugar for a deeper molasses flavor, or make your own by mixing granulated sugar with a small amount of molasses.
• Do I have to make this recipe fully vegan?
  Nope. Feel free to use melted butter instead of the oil and your favorite caramel sauce.
• Can I use a different fruit?
  Yes! Pears work especially well as a substitute for apples. You can also try a combination of apples and pears for a delicious variation.
• Can I make this caramel apple tart ahead of time?
  Yes! You can bake the tart up to 1 day in advance. Store it covered at room temperature for several hours or refrigerate it overnight. Add any extra caramel drizzle just before serving.

Variations.

• For an added crunch add a quarter cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into the streusel topping before sprinkling it over the apples.
• Replace two tablespoons of the flour in the streusel with rolled oats for extra texture and a heartier crumble topping.
• Mix in a quarter of dried cranberries with the apples for a more festive holiday apple tart.

How to Store Homemade Apple Tart.

Once your tart has fully set and cooled, it can be stored in an airtight container or well covered. When properly stored, it should keep for up to four days when refrigerated or frozen for up to a couple of months. You can warm individual slices in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5–10 minutes before serving.

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