Pommé rennais

01 / ABOUT THE DISH

About the dish

A quintessential sweet pastry of the Ille-et-Vilaine department, pommé rennais is a delightful baked good that proudly celebrates Brittany's legendary apple harvest. Originating in and around Rennes, this rustic treat is typically shaped as a rectangular turnover, though it is also often prepared as a larger tart adorned with a beautifully woven lattice crust. It is made with a buttery, flaky dough—often a rich puff pastry or a sturdy shortcrust—that perfectly encases a thick, sweet-tart fruit filling. To create the filling, apples are slowly simmered in generous amounts of salted Breton butter and sugar until the mixture reduces into a concentrated, deeply caramelized marmalade. The filling will occasionally be accented with a subtle hint of cinnamon or vanilla. Once assembled, the dough is brushed with a simple egg wash to ensure a glossy, deeply browned finish in the oven. Traditionally enjoyed as a satisfying afternoon snack or a festive dessert during local agricultural fairs, pommé rennais is best served warm alongside a cup of coffee or cider, allowing the rich pastry to shatter delicately upon the first bite while the steaming, fragrant apple center provides a wonderfully comforting contrast.