This apple cream cheese tart is made with puff pastry and spiced rum! It feels very fancy but is so easy to put together! Top with vanilla ice cream!

Spiced Rum Apple Cream Cheese Tart cut into square topped with ice cream

OVERVIEW

You don’t need much time to put out a beautiful, show-stopping, dessert. By using store-bought puff pastry you can have this apple cream cheese tart on your table in about 40 minutes!

It’s filled with some of my favorite flavors; tart apples, cinnamon, cream cheese, buttery pastry, and of course, spiced rum. You can easily skip the rum in this recipe if you’re not a fan!

Spiced Rum Apple Tart cut into squares with a spoonful of vanilla ice cream

If you’re feeling up for it and really want to wow your guests, make your own puff pastry! Follow my step-by-step tutorial on easy homemade puff pastry. It includes detailed photos as well as instruction.

Spiced Rum Apple Cream Cheese Tart cut into squares

The Best Apples for Baking

The type of apple you choose for this tart may depend on the season you are making it. Not all varieties are available year round. The good news is that there are several varieties of apple that work great for baking.

A few years ago, I tested a variety of apples so that I can help you determine which apples are the best to use for baking depending on what you’re making!

Since this recipe is baked and includes many of the same flavors as a traditional apple pie (like cinnamon), you can use the same varieties for this tart as you would a pie.

My favorites include: Granny Smith (available year round!), Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, and McIntosh.

My best advice to give you is to use your favorite apple in this tart. Use one variety or mix it up and add a few!

Spiced Rum Apple Cream Cheese Tart cut into squares topped with ice cream and a cup of coffee

MORE RECIPES FROM BAKER BETTIE!

If you enjoyed this recipe, you might like to try more of my delicious apple recipes.

Spiced Rum Apple Cream Cheese Tart cut into squares topped with ice cream
Yield: 9 Servings

Apple Cream Cheese Tart with Spiced Rum

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 42 minutes

This apple cream cheese tart is made with puff pastry and spiced rum! It feels very fancy but is so easy to put together! Topped with vanilla ice cream!

Ingredients

  • ½ pound (1 sheet) puff pastry (store bought or homemade quick puff pastry), thawed
  • 113 grams (½ cup, 4 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 227 grams (1 cup) spiced rum, any brand or flavor you like
  • 50 grams (¼ cup) powdered sugar, plus more for dusting
  • 56 grams (¼ cup, ½ stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 50 grams (¼ cup) brown sugar, light or dark
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

PREP:

  1. Several hours before baking (or the night before) remove puff pastry (½ pound/ 1 sheet) from the freezer and move to the refrigerator to thaw.
  2. Pour the spiced rum (227 grams/ 1 cup) over the peeled and thinly sliced apples (2 large) to soak for at about 20-30 minutes.
  3. Remove the cream cheese (113 grams/ ½ cup) from the refrigerator and let sit out to soften.
  4. Preheat the oven to 400°F/ 205°C.

To make the tart:

  1. Unfold the puff pastry and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream cheese and powdered sugar (50 grams/ ¼ cup) either by hand or using a hand-held mixer. Whisk until fluffy about 2-3 minutes. Spread evenly over the puff pastry leaving a ½ inch (1.27 cm) edge on all sides.
  3. Drain the apples and lay them across the cream cheese mixture overlapping a bit. You can make any pattern you want. I put mine in neat rows.
  4. Brush melted butter (56 grams/ ¼ cup) over the top of the apples. Sprinkle the brown sugar (50 grams/ ¼ cup) and cinnamon (2 teaspoons) over the top.
  5. Bake for 12 minutes then reduce the heat to 375°F/ 190°C and bake until golden brown. This should take about 10 more minutes.
  6. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
  7. Cut into 9 equal squares. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

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