Chocolate Pear Tart

View fullsize

View fullsize

Silky chocolate filling pairs beautifully with aromatic juicy pears to yield an impressive and elegant tart. You will love both the simplicity and the refined taste!

Print

Chocolate Pear Tart

Yield: 8

Author: Fida Milki

Ingredients

For the crust

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 stick (8 tbsp) chilled unsalted butter cut into small pieces
• 1 egg beaten

For the pears

• 4 pears peeled, halved and cored
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the filling

• 6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg + 1 egg yolk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Make the crust

1. Mix the flour with the sugar and salt in a bowl.
2. Scatter the butter pieces on top.
3. Mix the butter with the dry ingredients.
4. Slowly incorporate the beaten egg along with 1 tbsp of ice water.
5. With your wet hands, knead the dough until well incorporated.
6. Roll out the dough with a pin on a floured surface into a 12-inch disc.
7. Grease a 10-inch round tart pan or 8 small tart pans.
8. Lightly press the dough into the greased pan or pans making sure to cover the edges.
9. Make a few holes in the bottom using a fork.
10. Place the pan or pans in the freezer for 30 minutes.

Poach the pears

1. Combine the water with the sugar in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Add the vanilla extract.
2. Gently place the pears in the water and lower the heat.
3. Cook for 20 minutes until the pears are soft. Gently remove them from the saucepan and set aside.

Make the filling

1. Place the chocolate with the heavy cream in a saucepan and stir constantly until the chocolate melts.
2. Gently stir in the sugar and cook until dissolved.
3. Lightly whisk the egg and egg yolk with the vanilla in a bowl.
4. Gently pour half of the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture and whisk constantly.
5. Continue slowly and in a constant stream with the remaining chocolate and whisk until well incorporated and smooth.

Bring it all together

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 C).
2. Pour the chocolate mixture into the crus or crusts.
3. Place the pear halves on a cutting board.
4. Holding the end of each pear half with your other hand, cut into small slices leaving the end intact.
5. Place the sliced pear halves over the chocolate filling.
6. Bake in the heated oven for 40 minutes.
7. Remove from the oven and let cool at room temperature.
8. Remove the tart shell from the pan and place into a platter.
9. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, slice, serve and enjoy!