Rustic Pear Tart

A Rustic Pear Tart is an elegant yet simple dessert that highlights the natural sweetness and juiciness of ripe pears. This free-form tart, with its flaky, buttery crust and lightly spiced filling, is a beautiful combination of texture and flavor. The pears are arranged on the dough and folded up in a rustic, unfussy way, making it as easy to prepare as it is impressive to serve. Whether you enjoy it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or on its own, this tart is the perfect way to celebrate pear season with a cozy, homemade treat.

Ingredients

For the crust:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 3-4 tbsp ice water

For the filling:

• 3 ripe pears, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For finishing:

• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 1 tbsp coarse sugar (optional, for sprinkling)
• Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the crust: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and mix until the dough just comes together. Form the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Prepare the filling: In a bowl, toss the pear slices with brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until well coated. Set aside.
3. Roll out the dough: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet.
4. Assemble the tart: Arrange the pear slices in the center of the dough, leaving a 2-inch border around the edges. Fold the edges of the dough up over the pears, overlapping slightly and leaving the center exposed.
5. Finish and bake: Brush the edges of the crust with the beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired. Bake the tart for 35-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the pears are tender.
6. Serve: Let the tart cool slightly, then dust with powdered sugar before serving. Enjoy warm with ice cream or whipped cream if desired.

This Rustic Pear Tart is a simple yet stunning dessert, perfect for showcasing the sweet and delicate flavors of fresh pears!