Apples and Cheese and Figs, Ohhh My! Plus, Green Apple Ice!

This Apple Fig Mascarpone Tart aka Figgy Apple Mascarpone Tart sounds like Fall, but when served with an amazing Green Apple Ice, it fits into any season!

I love apples, especially when they’re baked into crumbles, crisps, buckles, cobblers, pies, etc. Although an apple a day will keep the doctor away, I don’t often eat apples out of hand unless they’re freshly picked. As a kid, I ate one every day, courtesy of my lunchbox, but it was only because it was the only dessert offering in the box. So, bake or cook me an apple, and I’m there.  Raw? Bring a pot of cheese fondue, a jar of peanut butter or caramel dip, and raw it is!

That being said, I recently had a craving for something baked with apples, but hey, it’s summer, I should be taking advantage of all the wonderful, plump berries that are now at their best and in abundance, right? Okay, I do take advantage of them, but why not pepper a little Fall flavor into my summer? There are no rules when it comes to baking, outside of the scientific aspect, that is. I mean, wearing white after Labor Day is no longer considered taboo, right?

Apple Fig Mascarpone Tart with Honey Apricot Glaze and Green Apple Ice

Furthermore, my father needs a little pick-me-up, so this apple dessert needs to burn the candle at both ends. My father also happens to love apples (realistically, who doesn’t?), anything apple with cinnamon and sometimes raisins. In fact, I think that’s one of his favorite combinations in the world, and apple pie is hands down his favorite dessert (next to cinnamon rolls and glazed apple cider doughnuts). With this in mind, I set out to create a baked apple dessert with a summer twist to it. After mulling it over, I decided on a tart of some sort, a tart with a creamy or custard like filling beneath the apples.

Frangipane was my first thought, but then I thought ‘cool’, temperature wise, and an apple cheesecake immediately came to mind. Then a Fig and Buttermilk Tart. Okay, scratch the tart…WAIT, NO, I want some warmth in this dessert, like an apple pie, but, once again, with ‘cool’ elements.  Yes, an apple pie a la mode covers all of the above, but I was feeling more adventurous.

Shortbread Pie Crust for Apple Mascarpone Fig Tart with Green Apple Ice

After more thought, sifting through several recipes, and a little imagination, I decided to make a cheese filling using a mix of mascarpone and cream cheese.  The combination of these two similar, soft cheeses is due to the incredibly rich taste and creamy texture of the former, and the tangy element of the latter. The spicy warmth of cinnamon, along with some chopped, dried figs, instead of raisins, became the finishing touch for the filling.

When it came to the crust, I was flummoxed. I didn’t want your everyday, basic pie crust, I wanted something different, something more exciting.  Hmmm.

Apple Fig Mascarpone Tart with Honey Apricot Glaze and Green Apple Ice

Then it came to me out of the clear blue..or gray in my case  (foggy brain).  He used to really love the Lorna Doone shortbread cookies. Ding! A shortbread crust would definitely be something he would love and definitely more exciting. This tart is like an apple-cheese-fig cookie, just bigger and a little more fancy schmancy. I made some amazing green apple ice to serve along with it, the cool and summery element I was looking for.

Fresh Green Apple Ice using whole green apples and optional coconut milk/cream for the creamy factor. Forget sorbet or ice cream, this stuff is the nectar of the gods Fat Free, Dairy Free, and Low Sugar. NO Food Color, all natural. #greenapple #greenappleice #coconutmilk #coconutcream #lowsugar #dairyfree #allnatural

If you prefer round things, this tart can be made in a 9-inch round tart or springform pan.  Arrange the apples in one concentric or several concentric circles to make it pretty. Well, you don’t have to do that, but let’s just say you wanted to make it pretty (trying to think of something witty to put here, but I’m empty today.). Uhh, make it pretty…yep, that’s all I got.

Fresh Green Apple Ice using whole green apples. Forget sorbet or ice cream, this stuff is the nectar of the gods. Amazingly delicious, creamy, and refreshing! Fat Free, Dairy Free, and Low Sugar. NO Food Color, all natural.

On another note; please excuse this awful photo of the green apple ice. I tried to brighten it and turn up the green, but just made it worse. I promise you, it is not primordial ooze green!  I’m guessing this is what a snowball at Chernobyl would look like.

Here’s a more natural photo of the green apple ice…

Fresh Green Apple Ice using whole green apples and optional coconut milk/cream for the creamy factor. Forget sorbet or ice cream, this stuff is the nectar of the gods Fat Free, Dairy Free, and Low Sugar. NO Food Color, all natural. #greenapple #greenappleice #coconutmilk #coconutcream #lowsugar #dairyfree #allnatural

Less nuclear.

Apple Fig Mascarpone Tart with Honey Apricot Glaze and Green Apple IceAnd yet another note – as you can see, I accidentally over-baked the tart by about 7 minutes. There was this thing on TV about (you guessed it) Chernobyl, and I forgot to set the timer. I’m obviously not the most organized kitchen witch.

Apple Fig Mascarpone Tart with Honey Apricot Glaze and Green Apple Ice

Finally, this blog entry is dedicated to you, Dad, because I love you. I’ll bring the tart over later; the second one I made that isn’t in pieces.. 😉

Fresh Green Apple Ice using whole green apples and optional coconut milk/cream for the creamy factor. Forget sorbet or ice cream, this stuff is the nectar of the gods Fat Free, Dairy Free, and Low Sugar. NO Food Color, all natural. #greenapple #greenappleice #coconutmilk #coconutcream #lowsugar #dairyfree #fatfree #allnatural

Apple Fig Mascarpone Tart with Green Apple Ice

Figgy Apple Mascarpone Tart with Green Apple Ice and Cider Caramel
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Yield: 8 to 10 servings
 
Green Apple ice adapted from Traci Des Jardins
Cider Caramel adapted from The Last Course: The Desserts of Gramercy Tavern by Claudia Fleming
ingredients:
Shortbread Crust
  • 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces, at room temperature
  • ¼ cup confectioner's sugar
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
Mascarpone-Fig filling
  • 4 oz of mascarpone cheese, at room temperature*
  • 4 oz of cream cheese, at room temperature*
  • ¼ cup white granulated or lightly packed light brown sugar or a mix of both, depending on your taste
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ - 1 tsp ground cinnamon - again, depending on your taste
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ⅓ to ½ cup chopped, dried figs - depending on how 'figgy' you're feeling**
Apple Topping
  • 2 large, 3 medium, or 4 small tart apples (Granny smith, Jonathan, Jonagold etc...OR, whatever looks and smells good at the market)
  • 2 tablespoons white granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ of a lemon
Honey Apricot Glaze
  • ¼ cup apricot preserves
  • 1 Tablespoon honey
  • 1 Tablespoon apple liqueur. such as Calvados
Green Apple Ice
  • 6 Granny Smith apples (or other tart baking apples, or 2 cups apple juice* )
  • ½ cup Simple Syrup (equal parts sugar and water boiled until somewhat thick and clear. In this case, you would combine ½ cup water with ½ cup sugar in a small saucepan, boil until sugar has dissolved)***
  • ½ cup cold coconut milk or just the cream at the bottom of the can - See UPDATE
  • 4 tablespoons lemon juice
Cider Caramel
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 teaspoon light corn syrup
  • ½ cup apple cider or unsweetened apple juice
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
directions:
For the Shortbread Crust
  1. In a bowl, combine the butter and sugar and blend to make a paste. Add the yolk and blend thoroughly. Add the flour and using your fingers, blend to make a crumbly dough, being careful not to overwork. Pour the crumbles into rectangle 13 x 4 or round 8 or 9-inch springform pan, then press gently on the bottom and up the sides, until it's uniform, and fills every crevice of the tart pan (or slightly up the sides of a springform pan). You want to see little pieces of butter in the dough. Let it rest in the refrigerator, covered, at least 2 hours or overnight. Remove from the refrigerator and prick the bottom of the crust with the tines of a fork.
OK, you can do one of two things here...
  1. Place a sheet of parchment or foil in the tart pan (I used a 13 x 4 rectangular tart pan, but a round 8 or 9-inch tart or springform pan will work just as well) and fill with pie weights or dried beans or rice, and blind bake the crust in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10 minutes. Remove the pie weights and foil and bake for another 5 minutes or until somewhat firm and very lightly golden brown. This is the method I used for the apple tart you see. I find the crust gets too dark in certain areas upon baking again, so next time I'm going to use the number 2 method below..
  2. Do NOT prick the crust prior to letting it rest in the fridge. When ready to bake, brush the chilled shortbread crust with some beaten egg white and let dry for a few minutes. NOW prick the bottom and sides of the crust. Fill with the mascarpone-fig mixture, smoothing it out so it's even. Cover and chill for about 1-2 hours until it firms up (this makes it easier to keep the apple slices from slightly sinking when you pile them on top, although, if aesthetics isn't a big deal to you, skip the refrigeration/firming of the cheese mixture.).
For the Mascarpone-Fig filling
  1. Combine the mascarpone, cream cheese and sugar and mix until smooth. Add the egg, vanilla, and cinnamon, and mix until uniform. I feel that hand mixing this is better, as you get a feel for the smooth, lump free consistency you're seeking. However, using electric beaters or a stand mixer is perfectly fine, just don't over-mix! Mascarpone doesn't react well to over-mixing.
  2. Fold in the chopped, dried figs and pour into the partially baked and cooled crust, or egg white brushed raw crust. Let set in the fridge, covered, for 1 to 2 hours.
For the Apple Topping
  1. Preheat oven to 425 F. Combine the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.
  2. Peel and core the apples. Slice in half or into quarters, then slice each half or quarter into ¼-inch thick slices. If you want the 'fanned' look..hold apple slices together on top of the filling, then fan out (spread, sliding in one direction). Continue until you've covered the top completely, filling in any gaps with leftover slices or pieces of slices. You can spread them over the top any way you like...from concentric circles if using a round tart pan, to fanned out rows..or just pile them on, whichever suits your fancy. Squeeze some lemon juice over the apples (making sure to keep the seeds from sneaking in), then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the top.
  3. Place the tart on a baking sheet, to catch any drips, and bake at 425 F for 10 minutes, then turn the oven down to 400 F, and bake for another 25 to 35 minutes, until the apples are soft and can be pierced easily with a knife. If the crust looks like it's browning too fast, cover the exposed area as best you can, with some aluminum foil. Remove from oven, and let cool on a wire rack. If using the egg white-raw crust method, bake at 425 F for 15 minutes, then turn it down to 400 F, and bake for 30-40 minutes more, checking on it periodically.
For the Honey Apricot Glaze
  1. In a small saucepan over medium high heat, bring all the ingredients to a boil. Let boil for about 1 to 2 minutes, until slightly thickened. Brush glaze over the cooled apples.
For the Green Apple Ice
  1. Quarter apples and juice them through a fruit juicer with peels on (this helps keep the color of the ice a nice bright green).
  2. Add simple syrup and lemon juice to taste. If using, add the coconut milk or cream now, and stir well. Pour the mixture into a shallow pan or a glass baking dish and place in the freezer until very cold, then transfer it to your ice cream maker to churn, following the ice cream maker manufacturer instructions.
  3. Alternatively, if you do not have an ice cream maker, place the pan with the green apple mixture in the freezer. After 30-40 minutes, scrape the pan to break up the frozen bits and create slush. Do this again after another 30-40 minutes, then put the pan in the freezer until you’re ready to serve. This will be more like a creamy granita, but just as yummy and refreshing!
For the Cider Caramel
  1. In a small saucepan, combine ¼ cup water, sugar, and corn syrup, and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high and boil the mixture, swirling the pan occasionally until the mixture turns a medium amber color.
  2. Remove the saucepan from heat and carefully whisk in the apple cider or juice, and butter from a distance (as the caramel may splatter). Whisk the mixture over low heat until smooth. Pass through a fine mesh sieve, and reserve until ready to use, or refrigerate for up to two days.
To Serve
  1. Place a wedge or two (depending on how small or large you slice the tart, or if you'd like to make it a dessert for two), on a plate. Add a quenelle or scoop of the green apple ice next to the wedges, or as I did, in a small, clear or pretty bowl since it melts pretty fast, especially if it's a muggy day/night. Drizzle the cider caramel around the plate.
notes:
*All cream cheese or all mascarpone can be substituted for the combination of both.
** Dates would also be great in this, especially Medjools or Honeyballs (Bahri dates). In fact, that's what I'll be trying next time. Raisins can also be substituted, golden or dark.
*** The original Green Apple Ice recipe calls for ¾ cup of simple syrup, but I felt that was a tad too sweet, and the ice didn't need that much. If you prefer it sweeter, use ¾ cup. If using store-bought apple juice, reduce to ¼ cup sugar plus ¼ cup water for syrup.
UPDATE. 2014: Add the coconut cream from a cold can of coconut milk, or just ½ cup coconut milk to the Green Apple Ice mixture, prior to freezing, if you want it creamier.
Also, you can freeze the apple mixture overnight into a solid block, then scrape it to make it a Green Apple Granita, if desired.

 

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17 Responses to Apples and Cheese and Figs, Ohhh My! Plus, Green Apple Ice!

  1. milgwimper says:

    Hmmmm, my scale is not liking me! Thank you so much for the recipe. 🙂

  2. This looks great Michelle! I love all the flavours you used here and how you paired the tart and the granita!

  3. Lolllllllll! I was laughing with your comment on my blog. I’m Rita! Glad you like the tortilla!

  4. lisamichele says:

    milg, you’re very welcome! Let me know how it turns out for you!

    RITA (how could have I forgotten your name when it’s posted in another comment section? Yikes, I need a tuneup!), thanks so much! However, Michelle is my middle name, although I wish it were my first, considering how common ‘Lisa’ is!

    That said, the Green Apple Ice is amazing. It’s a must try!

  5. Let’s see if WordPress will be kind to me now and link us….I LOVE your tart pan…and anything to do with figs 🙂

  6. HA! I think it’s working….. 🙂

  7. Tartelette says:

    What a great combo and I am in love with the green apple ice1

  8. Oh Lisa, Love your new page! I was just testing your web address which I included in an email I was sending to my sister when I noticed the change…especially the title…you’re so funny!! I’ll have to come back and read the post later!

  9. Chris says:

    Wow! New follower here – loving your recipes!
    Christine

  10. Pingback: 17 surprising green treats for St. Patrick’s that are more exciting than green socks | Music Sparks Session Cafe

  11. Pingback: Fresh Green Apple Ice using whole green apples. Forget sorbet… | pingoao.com

  12. Pingback: Fresh Green Apple Ice using whole green apples | Healthy Classic Blog

  13. kris says:

    I tried the recipe and it tasted like frozen applesauce combared to smooth sorbet. What did I do wrong? Thanks.

    • Lisa says:

      Hi, Kris 🙂 It isn’t sorbet, it’s green apple ice – similar to a granita, but smoother and softer. However, if you want it creamier, add the cream from a can of coconut milk, before freezing, as suggested in the recipe. That said, did you juice whole, green apples or use store bought apple juice?

  14. MH says:

    I think your pictures are beautiful including the green apple ice. Thanks for the great ideas. Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving.

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