Description
Homemade French pear tart offers delicate layers of buttery pastry and caramelized fruit from Normandy. Delightful dessert showcases simple ingredients with elegant precision you’ll savor completely.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 to 4 large pears (moderately ripe), cored and sliced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 3 tbsps brown sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 ½ tbsps cornstarch
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold
- 1 tbsp butter, cold
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 to 4 tbsps (30 to 60 ml) cold water (as needed)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) with the rack positioned centrally for consistent heat distribution.
- Crust Formation: Delicately roll out the pie dough and seamlessly transfer into a 9-inch tart pan, meticulously pressing into edges and trimming excess pastry.
- Fruit Preparation: Expertly peel and core ripe pears, then slice into uniform, thin wedges, creating an elegant foundation for the tart.
- Layering Technique: Artfully arrange pear slices in an overlapping circular pattern, ensuring complete coverage of the pie crust with a visually stunning design.
- Crumb Topping: Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, and cold butter, using fingertips to craft a delicate, sandy-textured crumble that will crown the fruit.
- Topping Application: Generously distribute the crumb mixture across the pear arrangement, allowing glimpses of fruit to create textural intrigue.
- Baking Process: Slide the tart into the preheated oven, baking for 40-45 minutes and rotating midway to achieve a perfectly golden-brown surface.
- Cooling and Setting: Transfer the tart to a wire rack, allowing it to cool completely for one hour, enabling flavors to harmonize and filling to stabilize.
- Serving Suggestion: Slice into elegant wedges and present at room temperature, optionally embellishing with a delicate powdered sugar dusting or a dollop of whipped cream.
Notes
- Choose Ripe Pears: Select firm, unblemished pears that yield slightly when gently pressed, ensuring maximum flavor and texture in your tart.
- Perfect Dough Technique: Roll pie dough on a lightly floured surface to prevent sticking and achieve a thin, even crust that bakes beautifully.
- Prevent Soggy Bottom: Sprinkle a thin layer of ground almonds or breadcrumbs under the pear slices to absorb excess moisture and maintain a crisp crust.
- Cooling is Crucial: Allow the tart to cool completely before slicing, which helps the filling set and prevents the crust from becoming mushy.
- Prep Time: 65 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg