Oh, how I adore the scent of cinnamon and nutmeg mingling with sweet pears in my kitchen! My love affair with spiced pear tart began years ago when I stumbled upon an old French cookbook at a flea market. That first bite of buttery, flaky crust paired with warmly spiced pears? Absolute magic. This recipe has become my go-to for cozy gatherings – it’s deceptively simple yet always impresses. The secret lies in that perfect balance: crisp pastry hugging tender pears infused with just the right blend of spices. Trust me, once you try this tart, you’ll understand why it’s become my signature dessert for every autumn celebration.
Why You’ll Love This Spiced Pear Tart
This tart checks all the boxes for a perfect dessert – here’s why it’s become my absolute favorite:
- Effortless elegance: Looks fancy but comes together with simple steps – even beginner bakers can nail it
- Warm spice magic: That cinnamon-nutmeg-ginger combo makes your kitchen smell like autumn heaven
- Texture dream: Flaky crust + juicy pears = the most satisfying bite you’ll ever take
- Crowd-pleaser: Equally perfect for casual weeknights or holiday dinner parties
- Versatile: Serve warm with ice cream or room temperature with coffee – it’s delicious every way
Seriously, this tart disappears faster than I can make it whenever I serve it!
Ingredients for Spiced Pear Tart
Gathering the right ingredients makes all the difference – here’s exactly what you’ll need for that perfect balance of flavors and textures:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled – don’t pack it!)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed (I pop mine in the freezer for 15 minutes first)
- 1/4 cup ice-cold water (literally add an ice cube to your measuring cup)
- 4 firm ripe pears, peeled and sliced 1/4″ thick (Bosc or Anjou work best)
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (press it down in your measuring cup)
- 1 tsp cinnamon (freshly ground if you’re fancy)
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg (I grate whole nutmeg for maximum aroma)
- 1/4 tsp ginger (the powdered kind works perfectly)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (fresh squeezed keeps those pears looking pretty)
Pro tip: Measure everything before starting – it makes the process so much smoother!
Equipment You’ll Need
Don’t worry – you won’t need any fancy gadgets for this tart! Here’s what I always grab from my kitchen:
- 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom (makes serving so easy!)
- Rolling pin (or an empty wine bottle in a pinch)
- Large mixing bowl for the dough
- Pastry cutter or two forks for blending butter
- Sharp knife for slicing pears
That’s it! Now let’s get baking.
How to Make Spiced Pear Tart
Okay, let’s dive into the magic! This tart comes together in three simple stages – crust, filling, and baking. Follow these steps carefully, and you’ll have perfection every time.
Preparing the Crust
The crust makes or breaks your tart, so let’s get it right! First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) – this gives it time to stabilize while we work. In your mixing bowl, combine flour and chilled butter cubes. Use your pastry cutter (or forks) to blend until it looks like coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter bits remaining – these create flakiness!
Drizzle in ice water 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing gently with a fork just until dough comes together. Overmixing makes tough crust, so stop when you can press it into a ball. Wrap in plastic and chill for 15 minutes – this relaxes the gluten and prevents shrinking.
Roll dough on floured surface to 1/8″ thickness (about the width of two quarters stacked). Carefully transfer to tart pan, pressing gently into edges. Trim excess with scissors – save scraps for patching any cracks!
Assembling the Spiced Pear Tart
Now for the fun part! Toss pear slices with lemon juice immediately to prevent browning. In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar and spices – I always taste a pinch to adjust the spice balance.
Arrange pears in concentric circles over crust, slightly overlapping. Sprinkle spice mixture evenly over top – don’t skip edges! The sugar will caramelize beautifully as it bakes.
Pro tip: If your pears release lots of juice, pat them lightly with paper towels first. Too much liquid makes soggy crust!
Baking and Serving
Pop your tart in the center rack and bake 35-40 minutes until crust is golden and pears are tender when poked with a fork. Rotate halfway for even browning.
Let cool at least 20 minutes before slicing – I know it’s hard to wait, but this sets the juices! Serve slightly warm with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or vanilla ice cream melting over those spiced pears. Absolute heaven!
Tips for the Perfect Spiced Pear Tart
After making this tart more times than I can count, I’ve learned a few tricks that guarantee success every time:
- Pear selection is key – Use firm, slightly underripe pears (Bosc or Anjou) that hold their shape when baked
- Keep everything cold – Chilled butter, ice water, and even chilling the dough prevents a tough crust
- Watch your oven – Ovens vary, so start checking at 30 minutes to prevent overbrowning
- Slice evenly – Uniform pear slices cook at the same rate for perfect texture
- Let it rest – That 20-minute cooling time lets juices thicken so slices hold their shape
Follow these simple tips, and you’ll have bakery-worthy results right at home!
Spiced Pear Tart Variations
One of my favorite things about this tart is how easily you can mix it up! Try adding chopped walnuts or pecans to the filling for extra crunch. Swap cinnamon for cardamom if you’re feeling adventurous, or toss in some dried cranberries for tart contrast. My neighbor swears by adding a thin layer of almond paste under the pears – it’s divine!
Storing and Reheating Spiced Pear Tart
This tart keeps beautifully! Just cover it loosely with foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When that craving hits again, pop slices in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes to revive the crust’s crispness. The microwave works in a pinch, but the oven brings back that fresh-baked magic. Trust me – it’s nearly as good as day one!
Spiced Pear Tart Nutritional Information
While every bite is pure bliss, remember: nutrition varies based on your specific ingredients and brands. This tart offers a lovely balance of fruit, whole grains (from the crust), and those warming spices we all adore! For general information on the nutritional benefits of pears, you can check resources like the USDA FoodData Central.
FAQs About Spiced Pear Tart
I get asked about this tart all the time – here are answers to the most common questions:
Can I use canned pears?
Fresh pears work best, but in a pinch, drain canned pear halves very well and pat dry. The texture will be softer, but still delicious!
Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely! Freeze whole or sliced, wrapped tightly in plastic then foil. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently in the oven.
My crust shrunk – what happened?
Ah, the dreaded shrinkage! Always leave a 1-inch overhang when lining your pan, and chill the dough before baking. The cold helps it hold its shape.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the flour for your favorite gluten-free blend (I like 1:1 mixes). The crust might be slightly more crumbly, but still tasty.
Try this recipe and share your results – I love seeing your spiced pear tart creations!
PrintIrresistible Spiced Pear Tart Recipe with 4 Perfect Pears
A delicious spiced pear tart with a flaky crust and warm spices.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Total Time: 60 mins
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 4 ripe pears, peeled and sliced
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ginger
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix flour and butter until crumbly.
- Add cold water and knead into a dough.
- Roll out the dough and place in a tart pan.
- Toss pear slices with brown sugar, spices, and lemon juice.
- Arrange pears over the dough.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden.
- Cool before serving.
Notes
- Use firm pears for best results.
- Chill the dough before rolling for easier handling.
- Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
