How to make the perfect apple tart and the common mistakes to avoid

There is nothing like the smell of a traditional Irish apple tart coming out of the oven. Here's how to make foolproof tarts, and Darina Allen's break-all-rules pastry recipe.

An Irish apple tart is hard to beat

Mind your temperatures

Pastry is reliant on two things: cold ingredients and a hot oven. Before you begin to assemble your pastry, preheat your oven, and keep your butter and water in the fridge until the last minute.