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Soft Pear and Chocolate Tart

17/11/2023

The soft pear and chocolate tart is an irresistible dessert that combines the sweetness of pears with the richness of chocolate, within a soft shortcrust pastry base. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients

For the shortcrust pastry:

  • 250 g of all-purpose flour
  • 125 g of cold butter, cubed
  • 100 g of icing sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 yolk
  • A pinch of salt
  • Grated zest of 1 lemon (optional)

For the filling:

  • 3-4 ripe yet firm pears
  • 150 g of dark chocolate
  • 100 ml of heavy cream

Preparation

  1. Start by preparing the shortcrust pastry: In a large bowl, mix the flour with the icing sugar and salt. Add the cold cubed butter and blend the mixture until it achieves a sandy consistency.
  2. Make a well in the center, add the egg and yolk (and the lemon zest if you want a more fragrant flavor) and start kneading until the mixture is homogeneous. Form a ball, wrap it with cling film and let it rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, peel the pears and cut them into thin slices. Set them aside.
  4. Take the dark chocolate and melt it in a double boiler or in the microwave, being careful not to burn it. Once melted, add the heavy cream and stir to obtain a smooth ganache.
  5. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
  6. Roll out the shortcrust pastry on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 5 mm and line a buttered and floured tart pan; prick the base with the tines of a fork.
  7. Pour the chocolate ganache over the pastry base in the mold, arrange the pear slices radially on top or as you prefer.
  8. Bake in the oven for about 30-35 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and the pears are soft.
  9. Let it cool completely before serving.

Did you know?

Pears and chocolate are a classic pairing in pastry. The sweetness and soft texture of the pears pair perfectly with the intense and slightly bitter taste of dark chocolate. Furthermore, this dessert lends itself well to being customized: for example, you can dust the tart with icing sugar or chopped hazelnuts for a crunchy touch, or add a sprinkle of cinnamon powder for a spicier flavor.

Soft Pear and Chocolate Tart