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    Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes

    Pear Tart Tatin with Puff Pastry

    Published: Sep 13, 2023 by Samantha Ferraro · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Pear tart tatin is a stunning dessert that pairs flaky puff pastry with irresistible caramelized pears. This recipe is both elegant and uncomplicated, making it a delightful addition to any special occasion.

    Puff pastry pear tart tatin with vanilla.
    Jump to:
    • About This Recipe
    • Recipe Highlights
    • 📋 Ingredients
    • 🍋 Substitutions and Variations
    • ⏲️ Instructions
    • 📍 Recipe Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Dessert Recipes
    • Pear Tart Tatin with Puff Pastry

    About This Recipe

    Pear tart tatin is a delicious and simple dessert that effortlessly combines buttery and easy store bought puff pastry with sweet caramelized pears.

    This is one of those desserts that looks like it took hours to create, yet comes together in under an hour! Serve the pear tart tatin for any celebratory get together such as Thanksgiving or Rosh Hashanah or anytime you are crave a fall treat.

    And if you have leftover seasonal pears, try pear and pomegranate crumble or classic wine poached pears.

    Recipe Highlights

    • Quick and Elegant: Despite its fancy appearance, this Pear Tart Tatin is surprisingly easy to make, thanks to store bought puff pastry and is ready in under an hour.
    • Versatile: While this recipe uses pears, you can experiment with other fruits like apples, peaches, or a combination of your favorites. The technique remains the same, allowing you to customize with your favorite fruit.

    📋 Ingredients

    • Pears: Bartlett pears are used for their seasonality and sweetness. Look for pears that have no blemishes or bruising.
    • Vanilla Bean: 1 vanilla bean is all you need for the pear tart. Cut the long vanilla bean in half and scoop out the flavorful seeds. You can also use 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste.
    • Brown Sugar and White Sugar: Both of the sugars help create a simple caramel for the pears to simmer in.
    • Butter: Use unsalted butter to keep the pear tart recipe on the sweeter side.
    • Puff Pastry: I always keep a box or 2 on hand for simple tarts or when I'm in the mood for an easy apple strudel.

    See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

    🍋 Substitutions and Variations

    • Fruit Variations: Swap pears for apples or peaches. Adjust the cooking time to suit the fruit's texture.
    • Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the caramel sauce for a warm, spiced flavor.
    • Gluten-Free: If you're gluten intolerant, look for gluten-free puff pastry.
    • Ice Cream or Whipped Cream: Serve your Pear Tart Tatin with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream.

    ⏲️ Instructions

    Melt the butter and sugars together until sugar has dissolved and slightly darkened.

    Step 1: Bring a medium oven safe skillet to medium heat and add the brown sugar, white sugar and water. Stir until the sugars have dissolved, then add the butter and vanilla bean or vanilla paste and continue cooking until the butter has melted and mixture has slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.

    Simmer the pear wedges in the butter and caramel until they begin to just soften.

    Step 2: Add the pear quarters into the caramel, core side up and continue cooking until the pears begin to soften and caramel thickens slightly, for another 6-7 minutes.

    Top the sauteed pears with a sheet of puff pastry and tuck in the ends of the pastry.

    Step 3: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the sheet of puff pastry slightly so the pastry is a bit thinner. Then place the puff pastry over the pears, tucking in the excess pastry. Use a knife to cut small slits into the top of the pastry.

    Bake the pear tart tatin until caramel has thickened and puff pastry is golden brown.

    Step 4: Place the skillet in the preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the tart for 20-25 minutes until the pastry has puffed up and is golden brown.

    Vanilla flavored pear tart tatin with puff pastry.

    Step 5: Remove the pear tart from the oven and let the pear tart sit for at least 8-10 minutes. Then use a plate that is larger than the skillet and invert the tart onto to the plate and serve.

    📍 Recipe Tips

    • Choosing Pears: Select ripe but firm pears for this recipe. Bartlett, Bosc, Anjou, or Comice pears work well, as they hold their shape during baking.
    • Puff Pastry: Use store-bought puff pastry for convenience, but ensure it's thawed before using.
    • Caramelization: The key to a perfect tart tatin is achieving a deep caramelization. Keep a close eye on the caramel as it cooks to avoid burning. It should turn a rich amber color.
    • Inverting the Tart: When flipping the tart onto a serving platter, be cautious of hot caramel. Use oven mitts or a towel and a plate larger than the skillet to catch any drips.
    • Serving: Serve your pear tart tatin warm with a cold scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.
    Pear tart tatin with puff pastry and vanilla.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can pear tart tatin be made in advance?

    Yes, you can prepare the tart in advance and reheat it in the oven at a low temperature before serving. However, it's best enjoyed fresh from the oven for the crispiest pastry.

    What's the best way to invert the tart tatin?

    Use oven mitts or a medium sized towel and a plate larger than the skillet to catch any drips of hot the caramel. Place the upside down plate onto the skillet and carefully turn over. If some of the pears are stuck, give them a gentle tap and arrange onto the tart.

    More Dessert Recipes

    • Rose Saffron Ice Cream with Pistachios
    • Fruit Rose Tart with Rose Whipped Cream
    • Persian Doughnuts with Saffron and Rose Water (Bamieh)
    • The perfect fall apple cake, seasoned with floral and earthy cardamom, bright orange zest and loaded with chunks of sweet apples. And perfect to serve alongside your favorite warm drink.
      Cardamom Apple Cake

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Pear tart tatin with puff pastry.

    Pear Tart Tatin with Puff Pastry

    Samantha Ferraro

    LittleFerraroKitchen.com

    Pear tart tatin is an impressively easy pear tart using store bought puff pastry and caramelized pears.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Resting 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 55 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine French
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 504 kcal

    Equipment

    • Rolling Pin

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 4 Bartlett pears peeled, cored and cut into quarters
    • ½ cup Brown sugar
    • ¼ cup White sugar
    • ½ cup water
    • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1 Vanilla bean cut in half and scraped or 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
    • 1 Sheet of Puff Pastry thawed
    • Flour for dusting
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Bring a medium oven safe skillet to medium heat and add the brown sugar, white sugar and water.
    • Stir until the sugars have dissolved, then add the butter and vanilla bean or vanilla paste and continue cooking until the butter has melted and mixture has slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
    • Add the pear quarters into the caramel, core side up and continue cooking until the pears begin to soften and caramel thickens slightly, for another 6-7 minutes.
    • On a lightly floured surface, roll out the sheet of puff pastry slightly so the pastry is a bit thinner. Then place the puff pastry over the pears, tucking in the excess pastry. Use a knife to cut small slits into the top of the pastry.
    • Place the skillet in the preheated oven and cook the tart for 20-25 minutes until the pastry has puffed up and is golden brown.
    • Once done, remove from the oven and let the pear tart sit for at least 8-10 minutes. Then use a plate that is larger than the skillet and invert the tart onto to the plate and serve.

    Notes

    • Choosing Pears: Select ripe but firm pears for this recipe. Bartlett, Bosc, Anjou, or Comice pears work well, as they hold their shape during baking.
    • Puff Pastry: Use store-bought puff pastry for convenience, but ensure it's thawed before using.
    • Caramelization: The key to a perfect tart tatin is achieving a deep caramelization. Keep a close eye on the caramel as it cooks to avoid burning. It should turn a rich amber color.
    • Inverting the Tart: When flipping the tart onto a serving platter, be cautious of hot caramel. Use oven mitts or a towel and a plate larger than the skillet to catch any drips.
    • Serving: Serve your pear tart tatin warm with a cold scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 504kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 4gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 111mgPotassium: 173mgFiber: 4gSugar: 38gVitamin A: 383IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Let us know by leaving a comment and 5 star rating!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. New2Cooking says

      September 17, 2023 at 11:27 am

      5 stars
      This is the second Pear recipe from this chef and they both turned out Wonderful. This is also my very first tart recipe. I almost consider myself a baker now.

      Reply
    2. KitchenComfort says

      September 14, 2023 at 6:08 pm

      5 stars
      This was the Perfect Pear recipe. Needless to say It is Pear season. 3 varieties to choose from and I grabbed 8 organic Bartlett pears on sale. It turned out fantastic. We had to do a quick run to the store for some haagen dazs at the last minute but it was worth it.

      Reply
    3. Kirsten says

      December 03, 2013 at 12:51 pm

      5 stars
      Samantha,
      How amazing this tart looks. I can only imagine the taste! Thanks for giving me the link to include in my upcoming Band Fruit Fundraiser Recipe Round Up! It will be published on 12/4/2013!

      Reply
    4. Suzanne says

      October 21, 2013 at 7:58 am

      5 stars
      This looks fantastic and so simple, love pears! exciting stuff happening at your house enjoy every moment.

      Reply
      • Samantha says

        October 21, 2013 at 8:57 am

        Yes..thank you!! I just did the triathlon this passed weekend and now onto the next!

        Reply
    5. Karla @ Foodologie says

      October 14, 2013 at 7:38 pm

      5 stars
      This was awesome! Thanks for sharing a piece 🙂

      Reply

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