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The dessert, Regional

Landes apple pastis

Landes apple pastis is a Southwest French dessert for 6, made of apples cooked down with armagnac and orange blossom water, wrapped in thin buttered pastry sheets baked until golden. It takes 45 minutes of active work, the filling is made the day before, and it's assembled and baked the morning of. Rated medium difficulty, it costs €1.30 per person. The key to success is brushing every single sheet with butter for those crisp, golden layers.

A Landes pastis, thin crispy pastry sheets layered over apples cooked with armagnac and orange blossom water, a true dessert from the Landes region.

Landes apple pastis
For
6 people
Work
45 min
Total time
2 h 15
Prep
Prepared the same day
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€1.30
Calories per person
380 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Under a crackling golden crust hides a soft apple filling, scented with armagnac and orange blossom water. The contrast between the crunch of the pastry sheets and the tender fruit inside is what makes this Southwest French dessert so good, less famous than tarte Tatin but just as satisfying.

This is a dessert with personality, perfect for ending a family meal in fall or winter, when apples are at their best. It works well after a braised dish or game, in a menu built around regional cooking, and it always catches guests off guard who've never tasted it before.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before 1 step, 30 min
  2. The same day 3 steps, 1 h 05
  3. Before the guests arrive 1 step
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

The day before, cook the apple filling with armagnac and keep it in the fridge. The morning of, assemble the pastis in its pan and bake for 35 minutes. Just before guests arrive, let it cool on a rack and unmold it, then slice and serve it warm for dessert.

The ingredients

6 people

Dairy

  • Brick pastry sheets 8
  • Butter 100 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Reine des Reinettes apples 1 kg

Pantry

  • Granulated sugaroften in the pantry 100 g
  • Armagnac 4 cl
  • Orange blossom water 1 tbsp
  • Vanilla extractoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Gluten, Lactose

The recipe, moment by moment

The day beforeWhat's better after resting overnight in the fridge.

  1. Peel the apples, cut them into thin slices and cook them down over low heat with 30 g butter, 60 g sugar, the armagnac and orange blossom water until the juices have evaporated. 30 min

    Let the juices evaporate fully, a filling that's too wet will soften the pastry sheets.

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Melt the rest of the butter and butter a cake pan, then line it with 4 pastry sheets brushed with butter, letting them hang over the edges. 15 min

    Layer the sheets slightly offset, they form a pretty flower shape.

  2. Pour in the cooled filling, fold the overhanging edges in and cover with the remaining buttered sheets, then sprinkle with sugar. 15 min

    Crumple the top sheets slightly, they turn out crispier.

  3. Bake at 180°C for 35 minutes until the pastis is golden and crisp. 35 min

    Watch closely toward the end, the sheets brown fast.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Let the pastis cool on a rack before unmolding.

    A cake pan unmolds easily if you wait 10 minutes.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Cut into slices with a thin blade and serve warm.

    Serve with a small glass of armagnac, that's the tradition.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick apples that hold their shape when cooked, like Reine des Reinettes, so they soften without turning to mush.
  • Work quickly once you open the pack of pastry sheets, they dry out and crack if left exposed to air too long.
  • Let the apple filling cool completely before spreading it over the bottom layer, otherwise the heat will make the sheets soggy before baking.

The variations

  • Swap the armagnac for calvados or dark rum if you don't have any on hand, the flavor still comes through nicely.
  • For an alcohol free version for kids, replace the armagnac with apple juice reduced on the stove for a few minutes.
  • Stir in a handful of chopped pitted prunes with the apples for a more traditional Landes style filling.

What to serve it with

  • A scoop of vanilla ice cream
  • A light coffee or tea
  • A small glass of armagnac after dinner

Storage

The pastis keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container, though it loses some of its crunch. Warm it up for a few minutes in a 150°C oven before serving rather than in the microwave. Freezing isn't recommended, the pastry sheets turn soft once thawed.

Questions about this recipe

Can you use phyllo dough instead of brick pastry sheets?

Yes, phyllo works well and gives just as crispy a result. Use the same number of layers and brush generously with butter between each sheet.

How do you keep the bottom of the pastis from getting soggy?

Make sure the apple filling is completely cold and not too wet before spreading it over the sheets. Cook it until the juices have almost fully evaporated, that's the key step.

What apple variety works if I can't find Reine des Reinettes?

Golden Delicious or Boskoop both hold up well during cooking. Avoid overly juicy apples, they'll turn your filling watery.

How should I serve the pastis for a dinner party?

Cut it into thin slices with a sharp knife so you don't crush the pastry layers. Serve it warm on a plain plate, it doesn't need any extra decoration.

Can a Landes apple pastis be made ahead?

Yes, during the day. The recipe needs 45 min of work in total, split up like this, the day before, 1 step, the same day, 3 steps, before the guests arrive, 1 step, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make a Landes apple pastis?

Allow 2 h 15 in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 45 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "medium".

How many calories are in a Landes apple pastis?

About 380 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a Landes apple pastis cost?

About €1.30 per person, that's €7.80 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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