This tart is winter eating at it’s best. It’s rich and sweet and is a lovely showcase for the best winter fruit – the pear.
Surprisingly, to me anyway, not everyone loves pears. As my husband is, sadly, one of those people I only made a small batch of these tarts since I would be eating most it myself. The recipe below makes three 12.5cm (5 inch) tarts. If you wish to make one large tart then double the quantities below and use a 22.5cm (9 inch) flan dish.
The recipe for the pastry base comes from Gourmande in the Kitchen It is gluten free and vegan yet still tasty. The pastry is very easy to make and is best eaten on the day it is made.
Do you like pears? What is your favourite winter fruit?
Pastry Base
Adapted from Gourmande in the Kitchen
125g (1cup) almond meal
pinch of salt
30ml (2 tbsp) golden syrup
30ml (2 tbsp) coconut oil, melted
Mix all ingredients together until thoroughly combined. Press the mix into the flan tins. Chill for 20 minutes. Prick the bottom of the dough all over with a fork. Bake in a moderate oven for about 7 minutes or until lightly golden.
Filling
100g pitted prunes
1/2 cup orange (or apple) juice
about 1 small pear per tart, peeled, cored and finely sliced
Place the prunes and orange juice in a small saucepan and heat until the prunes are very tender; it only takes about 5 minutes or so. Remove from the heat and blend into a puree.
To assemble, place a large spoonful of the prune puree into the bottom of each pastry case and smooth over to cover the base. Delicately arrange the pear slices over the top. Bake in a moderate oven for approximately 15-20 minutes until the pear is tender.
To decorate
2 tbsp apricot jam
small handful flaked almonds
Heat the jam until runny (about 30 seconds in the microwave should do) and brush over the top of the pears. Sprinkle with the flaked almonds.
Serve hot or cold, with cream, ice-cream or custard.
As I am such a good wife I made one prune and chocolate tart for my pear-averse husband.
The Dessert Spoon 
That pastry – looks great .. YUMMY
Thank you! It was delicious.
I sure you can find people who would love to share this treat!
No … more for me!!! I’ve never been good at sharing treats.
Tart looks great. Looks like easy recipe too! And so fibre filled!! Thanks for GF pastry recipe. Will try it when I have time. Do you think it would be good for caramel tart?
Thank you; it’s relatively healthy … for a dessert.
The pastry recipe is very easy to make and would be great for any sweet filling. While it is best eaten on the day it’s baked you could make the dough and line the flan tins a day or two ahead of time and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake it.
Beautiful tarts! you’re very clever.
Thanks Maureen!
I love pears! I find that around the end of July and August is when there’s nothing but pears and quinces so it’s really slim pickings then! What pretty tarts 🙂
Thanks Lorraine!
Beautiful photos! And gorgeous little tarts. I invested in individual tins a little while back and am so pleased that I did – so many lovely things to make!
Thank you! I like the individual tins too; they’re a good size.
OMG, that’s a beautiful tart! Perfect with some coffee or tea. Delicious!
Thank you Anne!
Tart at its best 🙂
Very good lookin’ thingies. And super smart recipe 🙂
Thank you!
Beautiful tarts!
Thank you!
I’ve actually never cooked with pears in desserts before but this such a pretty tart, I need to give it a try!
Cooked pears are lovely, very soft and sweet.