Quick Apple Tart

My favorite 'pudding' is an apple tart. I will gladly forgo anything else if there is an apple tart available. I make them often and a nice little apple tart can be very quick to make. This method is very simple and uses a premade crust but is reminiscent of the little tarts you get in the bakeries in France. Simple and tasty with a crisp crust and the flavor of the apples the number one flavor with no spices getting in the way.

You'll need two large Granny Smith apples
One store bought pie crust ( They come two to a package and you just unroll them... I like the Pillsbury ones but they are made with lard so you if you have a problem with that either find a pre-made one with vege shortening or make your own.)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into 1/4 inch x 1/4 inch bits.
2 - 3 tablespoons apricot jam or jelly warmed in the microwave

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.

I usually use a piece of parchment and line a pizza pan but you can use whatever you want. I would recommend that the pan have a lip since there is a chance of a little apple juice leaking during baking.
Roll out the pie crust on the parchment.
Peel and Cut the apples in half lengthwise and core (I usually use a melon baller because it make a neat round hole)
Slice the apples about a eighth of an inch thick and arrange them around the crust just barely overlapping (see the picture). Sprinkle evenly with the 1/3 cup of sugar and dot evenly with small bits of the butter. Slide into the hot oven on the middle rack and bake for about 30 to 40 minutes or until the apples are brown on the edges and the edge of the crust is fairly dark. You might rotate the tart halfway through baking just to make sure the crust cooks evenly. Remove from the oven and immediately brush the warm tart with the warmed apricot jelly. This gives it a nice gloss and actually enhances the apple flavor.

Serve immediately or at room temp. This tart is never as good as when it is freshly out of the oven. Some Trader Joe's French Vanilla ice cream is always nice.
This is a quick little dessert but it is actually quite elegant and surprisingly delicious. This tart will serve 6 or me.