Pear and Caramel Tart is a glorious combination of seasonal pears, sweet caramel and soft whipped cream in a crisp, buttery shortcrust pastry pie shell. Autumn brings us a feast of beautiful fruits ripe and ready to eat. I love apples and plums, but there is something rather special about a perfectly ripe pear that is difficult to beat.
I found that the fresh pears cut through the sweetness of the caramel rather well and the crisp pastry added texture, the Pear and Caramel Tart was a big success that I would definitely make it again.
- For the Shortcrust pastry
- 225g/8oz plain flour
- 150g/5oz butter, diced
- 25g/1oz caster sugar
- 1 whole egg
- For the filling
- 397g/14 oz can of caramel (dulce de leche)
- 3 ripe pears
- 150 ml/5 fl oz double cream
- 2 squares of chocolate
- Put the flour into a bowl and add the pieces of butter. Rub the butter into the flour until it looks like breadcrumbs.
- Add the sugar and stir into the mixture, then add the egg and mix to form a dough. You can add a little water if the pastry is not coming together.
- Wrap in clingfilm and put in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
- Remove from the fridge and roll out to fit 28cm/11 in loose bottomed flan tin.
- To bake the pastry, cover with baking paper and fill with baking beans, dried beans or rice.
- Bake in an oven preheated to 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4 for 20 minutes, then remove the beans and paper and return to the oven for a further 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Leave to cool
- While the pastry case is cooling, peel and half the pears, removing the seeds and stalk.
- Whip the cream until it will stand up in soft peaks
- Fill the pastry case with the can of caramel or dulce de leche, spreading evenly.
- Arrange the pear halves evening around the tart
- Using a piping bag with a 1M nozzle, pipe rosettes of cream around the pears, covering the caramel.
- Finely grate the chocolate over the tart
- Cheats and Alternatives
- Buy a shortcrust pastry case (pie shell)
- Use tinned (canned) pears or if fresh pears are not fully ripe, poach them in fruit juice or wine until tender
- If you don't have a piping bag, spread the whipped cream over the caramel and then place the pears on top.
If you liked my Pear and Caramel Tart you might also enjoy some of these lovely pear desserts from Top Food Blogs.
- Chocolate Pear Cardamom Upside Down Cake – Tin & Thyme
- Chocolate Pear and Hazelnut Tart – How to Cook Good Food
- Gluten Free Chocolate and Pear Tart – Lancashire Food
- Pumpkin and Pear Amaretto Trifle – How to Cook Good Food
- Pear and Ginger Frangipane Crumble – Natural Kitchen Adventures
I’m entering this tart for Perfecting Patisserie, the monthly blogging challenge run Baking Queen 74
What a lovely combination! I love pears and bet they contrast the caramel filling perfectly. It sounds really delicious and I’m pencilling it in to try this Christmas when I’m entertaining! Thank you for joining in with #PerfectingPatisserie!
Thanks Lucy, yes ideal for Christmas as it’s a real sweet treat.
Janet, I’m definitely going to try this when I get home using GF shortcrust pastry
That’s great Vivienne. I’d love to see how you get on.
Lovely – it sounds very simple and delicious – definitely going to give this a try when I next have people over for dinner
Thanks Tracy, hope you and your guests enjoy it.
What a fabulous tart! I have a pear and walnut cake recipe in the blog which would be enhanced by some caramel in it! A wonderful autumn dessert – Karen
What an absolutely stunning bake! It looks so beautiful and I bet it tastes amazing!
Thanks Elizabeth, it went down very well in our house!
Love the use of pear in desserts. I always feel it gets neglected in comparison with apples! This looks fabulous and perfect for this time of year
Thanks Ceri, and thanks for letting me link your lovely pear recipe.
Pears, caramel and cream… What’s not to love?! I think this is a fabulous dessert and one I will have to make next time I have friends over.
You are right Kevin, it’s a lovely combination. Hope you and your friends enjoy it.
Goodness that tart sounds lush Janice. I sooooooo wish I had a slice to try. This week’s Food Programme on R4 was all about pears – really interesting. Thanks very much for including my pear cake in your montage.
Thanks Choclette, I wish I had a slice too, but it’s long gone!
That sounds gorgeous, such a shame I can’t lift it off the screen and try it!
Thanks Ali, I’m sure you could easily make one yourself x
The tart looks awesome.wish to have a slice
Thank you
Indeed there is nothing like that elusive perfect pear. I think that they are perfectly ripe for only 20 seconds!
Beautiful tart too.