If you're craving a dessert that's elegant yet comforting, this Almond Pear Tart Recipe is just the ticket. With its flaky crust, luscious almond cream, and sweet, tender pear slices, it’s the perfect way to impress guests or treat yourself to something special.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Every time I make this tart, the combination of nutty almond cream and juicy pears just wins me over. It's got that homey French bakery vibe that feels both fancy and approachable.
- Buttery, Flaky Crust: A homemade crust that’s delightfully crisp and tender.
- Almond Cream Filling: Rich, smooth, and bursting with a subtle almond essence.
- Perfect Pears: Thin slices that become tender and lightly caramelized while baking.
- Showstopper Presentation: Elegantly arranged fruit that’ll make your dessert table shine.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Choosing the right ingredients is key to nailing this tart’s signature flavors and textures. For best results, pick ripe but firm pears and good-quality almond flour to get that silky, nutty filling.
- All purpose flour: The base for a tender, flaky pie crust that holds up beautifully to the filling.
- Unsalted butter: Cold for the crust to create flakiness; room temperature for the filling to blend smoothly.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering.
- Sugar: Adds just the right touch of sweetness in the crust and filling.
- Ice water: Keeps the dough cool and helps develop structure without melting the butter.
- Large egg: Binds the filling and adds richness.
- Almond extract: Gives a fragrant, true almond flavor that makes this tart uniquely special.
- Almond flour: Creates that lush, creamy texture of the filling and adds nuttiness.
- Medium pears: Thinly sliced to bake perfectly on top; Bosc pears are my go-to for sweetness and texture.
- Powdered sugar (optional): For a delicate dusting that adds a pretty finishing touch.
Make It Your Way
The beauty of this Almond Pear Tart Recipe is how easily it adapts to your taste and pantry! Feel free to experiment with different nuts, fruits, or even sweet spice blends to make it truly your own.
- Use Different Pear Varieties: While Bosc pears are my favorite for this tart thanks to their firm texture and sweet-spicy notes, Bartlett or Anjou pears can add a juicier, slightly different flavor profile. I once tried it with Bartlett and loved the extra softness that came with it.
- Try Hazelnuts Instead of Almonds: Substituting almond flour for hazelnut meal creates a deeper, earthier contrast to the pears that’s a lovely twist if you have hazelnuts on hand — it tastes almost like a cozy autumn treat.
- Make It Vegan: Replace the butter with a plant-based margarine and swap the egg for a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoon water, chilled to thicken). The texture changes slightly, but it’s still wonderfully rich and satisfying.
- Add a Touch of Spice: Adding a teaspoon of cinnamon or cardamom to the almond filling can add warmth and complexity — perfect for a fall or winter dessert. I like to sprinkle a little cinnamon on top of the pears just before baking for that extra cozy hint.
- Make Mini Tarts: Use a muffin tin or mini tart pans with the same dough and filling recipe to bake adorable bite-sized versions — great for parties or gift-giving.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Almond Pear Tart Recipe
Step 1: Crafting the Perfect Pie Crust
Start by combining flour, cold butter pieces, salt, and sugar in a food processor. Pulse carefully until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with small butter bits still visible — this ensures a flaky texture once baked. Then slowly add the ice water while pulsing until the dough just pulls together into a single clump. Divide the dough into two halves, wrap one tightly for later, and refrigerate the half you’ll use. Keeping that dough cold is key!
Step 2: Rolling Out & Chilling the Crust
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Roll out the tart dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness, just enough to cover your 10-inch tart pan neatly. Press it gently into the pan, trimming excess edges. Pop it back into the fridge while you prepare the filling—this helps keep the crust firm and reduces shrinking during baking.
Step 3: Whipping Up the Almond Filling
In your stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or using hand beaters), cream room temperature butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and beautifully smooth. Then, mix in salt, egg, and almond extract until fully combined. This step builds flavor and the perfect creamy texture for the filling.
Step 4: Folding in the Almond & All-Purpose Flour
Gradually add almond flour and all-purpose flour to your creamed mixture. Mix gently but thoroughly until smooth and evenly combined. This gives the filling its luscious, tender structure that bakes up golden and slightly puffed.
Step 5: Filling the Tart Shell
Dollop spoonfuls of the almond cream evenly over your chilled crust. Then use the back of a spoon or an offset spatula to gently spread it out, covering the bottom of the tart pan with a nice, even layer. This creates a smooth base for your pears to sit on beautifully.
Step 6: Artfully Arranging the Pear Slices
Thinly slice your pears (chilling them first makes this easier!). Arrange the pear slices in small groups of 6-9 pieces, fanning them out slightly on top of the almond filling. Gently press the slices into the cream to ensure they stick during baking and look elegantly layered. This makes the tart not only delicious but also stunning.
Step 7: Baking to Golden Perfection
Bake your tart in the preheated oven for about 35 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the almond filling is puffed up and golden brown. To prevent the top from over-browning, tent the tart loosely with aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes of baking. This gentle shield helps maintain a perfect color without sacrificing the crisp edges of the pears.
Step 8: Cooling and Final Touches
Once baked, remove the tart from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. This allows the filling to set properly so each slice cuts cleanly. Just before serving, dust the top lightly with powdered sugar for a touch of elegance and sweetness — totally optional but so delightful.
Top Tip
These tips will help you master the Almond Pear Tart Recipe with ease, ensuring your tart comes out perfectly every time—golden, flavorful, and beautifully presented.
- Keep the Butter Cold: Cold butter is the secret to a flaky crust. I always chill the butter well and work quickly to keep the dough from warming up too much.
- Slice Pears Thinly: Thin slices bake evenly and meld beautifully with the almond filling. Chilling the pears before slicing made a huge difference for me in creating neat, uniform slices.
- Tent the Tart in the Oven: Covering the tart loosely with foil during the last 10 minutes prevents the top from browning too fast while allowing the filling to cook through perfectly.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: I learned that pulsing the crust dough just until the small butter pieces remain is key—overprocessing makes the crust tough instead of tender.
How to Serve Almond Pear Tart Recipe
Garnishes
Dust the finished tart lightly with powdered sugar for a classic, elegant touch. For an extra special presentation, add a few toasted almond slices on top or a dollop of whipped cream on each slice. A drizzle of honey or a few fresh mint leaves can also brighten the flavors beautifully.
Side Dishes
This Almond Pear Tart pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of crème fraîche to balance the nutty sweetness. Consider serving it alongside a hot cup of tea or coffee for a cozy finish to your meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover tart in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure to cover it well to keep the crust crisp and the almond cream fresh.
Freezing
You can freeze the extra pie crust dough wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 1 month. For the baked tart, it’s best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze slices wrapped securely in plastic and foil for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat tart slices gently in a 325°F oven for about 10 minutes to bring back that flaky crust texture and warm the almond filling without drying it out. Avoid microwaving as it can make the crust soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While Bosc pears are ideal for their sweetness and firmness, you can also use Bartlett or Anjou pears. Just make sure they’re ripe but still firm to hold their shape during baking.
Yes, you can substitute ground almonds for almond flour. However, almond flour yields a smoother filling texture, so the tart may have a slightly different consistency when using ground almonds.
Chilling the crust before adding the filling helps keep it firm. Also, make sure to bake the tart fully at 375°F. Allowing it to cool completely before slicing helps maintain firmness and texture.
You can modify the recipe by replacing butter with a plant-based margarine and using a flax egg in place of the large egg. Keep in mind the texture and flavor will vary somewhat from the classic version.
Final Thoughts
Making this Almond Pear Tart Recipe feels like bringing a little bit of French patisserie magic right into your home kitchen. The cozy fragrance of almond and pear baking together, the flaky crust, and the luscious filling all come together to create a dessert everyone will remember. I hope you enjoy baking and sharing this tart as much as I do—it's a lovely way to celebrate the flavors of fall or any special occasion!
Print
Almond Pear Tart Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Almond Pear Tart features a buttery, flaky crust filled with a luscious almond cream and topped with thinly sliced pears. Perfectly baked to a golden brown, it's an elegant dessert that highlights the harmonious blend of nutty almond and sweet, tender pears.
Ingredients
Pie Crust
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold, cut into pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ cup ice water
Filling
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
Topping
- 2 medium pears, sliced thinly
- 2 tablespoon powdered sugar for dusting on top of the finished tart, optional
Instructions
- Make the pie crust: Add the flour, cold butter, salt, and sugar to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until there are no large chunks of butter, with small pieces still visible. Slowly add ice water while pulsing until the dough forms a single clump. Remove, divide in half, and refrigerate. Use half for the tart and freeze the other half for later.
- Preheat oven and prepare crust: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Roll out the chilled tart dough to about ¼ inch thick and fit it into a 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Place the crust back in the refrigerator while preparing the filling to keep it firm.
- Prepare almond filling: In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or using electric beaters, cream the room temperature butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Add salt, egg, and almond extract and mix to combine well.
- Add dry ingredients to filling: Gradually add almond flour and all purpose flour to the creamed mixture. Mix until combined and smooth.
- Fill the crust: Dollop the almond mixture evenly over the chilled crust, then spread it uniformly to cover the bottom of the tart shell.
- Arrange pears: Lay thinly sliced pear pieces on top of the almond filling. Arrange slices in groups of 6-9, fanning them out slightly, and gently press them into the filling for a beautiful presentation.
- Bake the tart: Bake in the preheated oven for about 35 minutes until the filling is puffed and golden brown. To prevent over-browning, tent the tart loosely with aluminum foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Cool and serve: Remove the tart from the oven and allow it to cool completely. Before serving, dust the top with powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
- This tart pairs wonderfully with ripe Bosc pears for the best flavor and texture.
- If you prefer, substitute almond flour with finely ground almonds, but almond flour yields a smoother filling.
- The pie crust dough can be frozen for up to 1 month, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, for convenient future use.
- To make slicing pears easier, chill them briefly before cutting.
- You can use light brown sugar instead of granulated sugar in the filling for a subtle caramel note.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 441 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 330 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 81 mg

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