Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet with a Silpat and set aside.
2. Flour a large countertop and roll out the puff pastry until it fits the baking sheet. Make sure to roll from the center out, NOT back and forth—otherwise you will flatten the butter into the dough and it won\'t puff up, which defeats the whole purpose.
3. When the pastry is the right size, cut it into 6-8 pieces, depending on how many tarts you want to make. Place in Silpat and place the baking sheet in the fridge until ready to use.
4. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
5. Core and slice the apples as thinly as possible. Place them in a large bowl and toss with sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg.
6. Remove the baking sheet from the fridge and layer apples on top of each tart, placing them closely together to create an overlapping pattern. When you\'re done, place the baking sheet back in the fridge for 15 minutes.
7. Sprinkle apples with the cut-up butter pieces and bake for 30 minutes, until the pastry has risen and is a light golden color.
8. About 20 minutes into the baking time, make the caramel. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, cook the remaining 1/4 cup sugar over medium-high heat until it caramelizes and turns a deep golden color. Remove from heat and stir in the butter, whisking constantly.
9. Stir in cream and return to stove over medium-low heat. Whisk and keep heated for 1 more minute and then turn off stove. Keep aside.
10. When tart is baked, remove from oven and CAREFULLY brush the apples and the outside tart edges with the caramel, making sure not to displace the apples. Return to oven for another 5-10 minutes until the caramel is bubbling and the sides of the tart are a deep golden color.
11. Let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before serving, with a heaping scoop of ice cream of course.
12. If for some act of GOD there are leftovers, wrap carefully in plastic wrap. It will keep at room temperature for only a day. Rewarm in the oven to crisp up the pastry before eating.