In AI We Trust? ChatGPT's Surprisingly Perfect French Apricot Tart...

Recently, I had a sudden craving for an apricot tart. Not just any apricot tart, but the kind you find in French bakeries and cafés during summer. As I had never made one myself, I decided to take a shortcut and asked ChatGPT for a traditional French recipe.

And honestly? Whatever your opinion on AI may be, the result was absolutely delicious. The tart disappeared in no time, which is probably the best compliment a recipe can get. So of course, I had to share it with you.

If you happen to have a basket of ripe apricots sitting in your kitchen, or if you'd simply like to bring a little taste of France to your table, this recipe is well worth trying.

Ingredients

For the pastry

• 250 g flour

• 125 g cold butter

• 80 g sugar

• 1 egg

• A pinch of salt

For the filling

• 800 g apricots

• 50 g ground almonds

• Seeds from 1 vanilla pod

• 50–80 g brown sugar

Method

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt.

2. Add the cold butter in small pieces and rub it into the dry ingredients with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

3. Add the egg and quickly bring everything together into a smooth dough.

4. Shape into a ball and chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes.

5. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

6. Butter a tart tin and lightly dust it with flour.

7. Press the dough evenly into the tin with your fingers, covering both the base and the sides.

8. Prick the base several times with a fork.

9. Sprinkle the ground almonds evenly over the pastry.

10. Halve and stone the apricots, then arrange them cut side up on the tart.

11. Scatter the vanilla seeds over the fruit.

12. Finish with a generous sprinkling of brown sugar.

13. Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the apricots are soft and lightly caramelised.

Serving suggestion

Serve slightly warm with a spoonful of crème fraîche or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.