Desserts

Pear Tartlets with Salted Caramel Sauce

Have you ever had guests coming for dinner but realized (in a panic) that you didn’t have a dessert ready for them? Well, this dessert will solve all your problems- it’s easy, can be ready in 40 minutes and is also delicious!

All you need to do is first poach the pears and then slice and fan them out. Place on a piece of partially-thawed puff pastry and then cut around the pear leaving a margin of one inch:

Next, trace around the pear staying close to the flesh- be careful not to cut all the way through the pastry.

Bake for about 15 minutes until golden, then spoon the salted-caramel sauce around the edge of the pear. Add ice cream or whipped cream on the side (and make sure you have extra servings in case your guests want seconds)!

By the way, I got this recipe from Better Homes and Gardens magazine. My mom used to subscribe to it and now I like to read it for their great recipes (don’t they say that we eventually become like our parents)?

 

 

Pear Tartlets with Salted Caramel Sauce

Print Recipe
Serves: 6 Cooking Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

  • 3 pears, peeled and cored and halved
  • 3 cups (750 ml) water
  • 1 cup (250 ml) dry white wine
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 3 sheets frozen puff pastry, partially thawed
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • Icing sugar (confectioner's sugar), to dust
  • For the salted-caramel sauce:
  • 3 Tbsps. butter, chopped
  • 2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup thickened cream
  • 1 tsp sea salt flakes

Instructions

1

Pre-heat oven to 375 F (185 C). Prepare two baking trays lined with baking paper.

2

Peel, core and slice the pears in half. Bring the water, wine, sugar and cinnamon stick to a boil in a large saucepan, lower the heat and add the pear halves. Cook for about 10 minutes or until the pears are tender (but not too soft). Remove from the pan using a slotted spoon and drain and cool on a paper towel. To fan the pears, arrange core-side facing down on a cutting board. Starting just below the stem, make 5-6 vertical cuts into each, leaving stem end in tact. Gently fan the pear open using your fingers.

3

Place two fanned pear halves on each partially-thawed puff pastry sheet, spaced well apart. Using a small knife, cut around each pear leaving a border of 1 inch. Next, trace directly around each pear with the knife, staying snug to the outline and careful not to cut through the pastry. Use the extra pastry dough to make some 'leaves.' Brush the outer edges of the pastry with egg wash, place the pears and leaves on the prepared baking sheets and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until the pastry turns a golden brown.

4

In the meantime, make the caramel sauce. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, then add the brown sugar and stir until the mixture turns dark brown and starts to bubble. Whisk in the cream and stir for approximately 4-5 minutes until the mixture is smooth and thick. Add the sea salt and set aside until the mixture cools and thickens a bit more.

5

To serve, place the pear tartlets and leaves on a serving dish with some ice cream, spoon some caramel sauce around the edges of the tartlets and dust with the icing sugar. Serve any additional caramel sauce on the side.

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16 Comments

  • Reply
    John / Kitchen Riffs
    May 31, 2018 at 9:06 am

    Poached pears are great! This is such a nice way to serve them, too. Fancy! And delish. 🙂 Thanks.

  • Reply
    Fran Flint
    May 31, 2018 at 3:59 pm

    John, I agree- let’s eat!!

  • Reply
    David
    June 1, 2018 at 8:47 am

    Any dessert that includes pears – especially when they’re poached – is perfectly fine with me! I love how easy this is, Fran, and how it can be dressed up depending on your time and mood! Thanks for sharing!

    • Reply
      Fran Flint
      June 2, 2018 at 8:02 am

      Thanks David- and it doesn’t matter which kind of pear you use- they all taste good!

  • Reply
    Karen (Back Road Journal)
    June 2, 2018 at 12:04 am

    Your pear tartlets are so pretty…I’ve pinned them to make when we have friends over for dinner.

  • Reply
    Fran Flint
    June 2, 2018 at 8:02 am

    Oh, thanks so much for pinning my recipe!!

  • Reply
    Mimi
    June 2, 2018 at 10:30 pm

    These are so pretty! You’re so talented. Of course you are – you’re a chef!!!

  • Reply
    Wallflower Weekly Finds, 169 - Cooking with a Wallflower
    June 3, 2018 at 4:31 pm

    […] Pear tartlets with salted caramel sauce look and sound soo mouthwatering. […]

  • Reply
    Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
    June 4, 2018 at 6:28 am

    Fran. I love a pear tart anyway. But a pear tart shaped like a pear? That’s just so cute I can’t stand it! Going on my to-do list!

  • Reply
    Simply Sweet Justice
    June 4, 2018 at 12:31 pm

    These look delicious!

  • Reply
    Gerlinde
    September 15, 2018 at 9:54 am

    I am pinning this recipe, it looks so gorgeous and I am sure it tastes as good as it looks.

  • Reply
    Fran Flint
    September 15, 2018 at 7:43 pm

    Gerlinde, thanks so much for pinning my recipe!

  • Reply
    marie johson
    January 20, 2020 at 2:40 am

    I made this recipe and whole family enjoyed it <3 thanks for sharing

    • Reply
      Fran Flint
      January 20, 2020 at 9:47 am

      Thanks Marie- I’m so glad you and your family enjoyed it!

  • Reply
    Aish Manu
    March 3, 2020 at 9:42 pm

    Wow, delicious pear tartlets garnished with salted caramel sauce, really awesome, i will make for my family. Thank you for sharing this beautiful recipe.

    • Reply
      Fran Flint
      March 4, 2020 at 10:17 am

      Aish, thanks so much for stopping by my blog. Your comment makes me want to try making this recipe again!

    I love comments!