Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 5 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 12 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
For the Filling:
- 8 large pears, washed
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp water
- 3/4 cup fig preserves
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Prepare oven racks and preheat: Position one oven rack in the middle and another at the top slot. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Make the dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add melted butter and stir until a dough forms.
- Form the crust: Transfer the dough to a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough evenly onto the bottom and up the sides of the pan using your hands.
- Bake the crust: Place the tart pan on the middle oven rack and bake for 30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Remove and let it cool while keeping the oven on.
- Strain fig preserves: Warm the fig preserves in the microwave for about 40 seconds. Pour them through a fine mesh strainer to separate the liquid from the fig chunks, reserving both.
- Slice and cook pears (first batch): Slice five pears into 1/2-inch thick slices, discarding the cores. Heat 1 tbsp butter in a large cast iron skillet, add the pear slices and 1 tbsp water, cover, and cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes until slightly tender. Remove and let cool.
- Slice second batch of pears: Slice the remaining three pears in the same manner.
- Cook pears with fig chunks: Melt 2 tbsp butter in the same skillet. Add the second batch of pear slices, the fig chunks, and salt. Cover and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pears are very tender.
- Mash the pear-fig mixture: Use a potato masher to mash the cooked pears and figs into a puree. Continue cooking for 5-7 minutes until the mixture thickens and reduces.
- Assemble the filling: Spread the pear-fig puree evenly over the cooled tart crust.
- Arrange pear slices: Layer the cooled pear slices on top of the puree in overlapping concentric circles, starting from the outer edges towards the center.
- Bake the tart: Place the tart on the middle rack and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
- Warm fig glaze: Reheat the reserved strained fig liquid in the microwave for about 20 seconds.
- Glaze pears: Remove the tart from the oven and brush the surface evenly with the warmed fig liquid to create a shiny glaze.
- Broil for caramelization: Return the tart to the oven, place it on the top rack, and broil briefly, watching carefully until pears develop a caramelized, golden look.
- Cool the tart: Remove from oven and allow the tart to cool for at least 1 1/2 hours before serving.
- Remove tart from pan: Place the bottom of the tart pan over a wide can and carefully slide the ring off downward to release the tart.
- Serve: Cut the tart into 12 slices and serve. Enjoy your elegant French Pear Tart!
Notes
- Ensure pears are ripe but firm to hold their shape during cooking.
- Using a tart pan with a removable bottom makes serving easier.
- You can substitute fig preserves with apricot preserves if preferred.
- Watch the tart carefully during broiling to prevent burning.
- Letting the tart cool completely helps it set for clean slices.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
