Go Back
+ servings

Poached Pear Tart

Elegant & surprisingly easy! With just 3 simple recipes you will have this stunning dessert to impress just about everyone! Vanilla custard tarts with rose decor poached pears!
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 45 minutes
1 hour
Total Time 3 hours 45 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

For the Poached Pears

  • 9 Small Pears
  • cup Cherry or Cranberry Juice (355ml)
  • 1 cup White Wine (237ml)
  • ½ cup Water (120ml)
  • ½ cup Sugar (100g)
  • 1 Vanilla Bean Pod
  • 2 Cinnamon Sticks
  • 6 Allspice Berries
  • 8 Whole Cloves
  • 4 Anise Pods

For the Tart Shells

For the Vanilla Custard

  • cup Plant Milk (533ml)
  • ¾ cup Sugar (150g)
  • 5 Tbs Cornstarch *see notes (40g)
  • pinch tumeric *optional for color
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (5ml)

Instructions
 

  • First prepare the poached pear by peeling the pears. Coring them ahead of time is your option but I usually leave them intact for poaching then cor them later
  • Combine the juice, water, wine & all the spices in a large sauce pot. If using a vanilla bean split it & scrape the seeds into the liquid & add the scraped pod as well. Add the pears & cook over medium heat until the liquid is just about to boil then reduce the heat to a very low simmer & cook for approximately 45 minutes or when the pears are tender when poked with a skewer
  • Meanwhile make the cookie dough according to the recipe on that post & add the optional rose extract in place of the lemon extract *I still do use the lemon zest though
  • Once the cookie dough has chilled & the pears are cooked through roll the dough to ¼" thickness & line your tart mold(s)
    Freeze the shells while you preheat the oven to 350℉ & then bake them for approximately 5-18 minutes or when they are golden brown & thoroughly baked
  • Meanwhile drain the pears & core them (if you have not already) by slicing them in half & then slice each half into very thin slices. Reserve them on a plate or on a sheet pan in the refrigerator while you make the custard
  • In a medium sauce pot combine the sugar with the cornstarch & optional tumeric then add the plant milk & cook over medium to high heat whisking constantly to avoid scorching the bottom
  • Once the custard starts to bubble gently remove from the heat & add the vanilla extract
  • Pour the hot custard directly into the baked tart shells & refrigerate to set to cold & firm
  • Arrange the pear slices on top of the custard tart shells in a rose pattern then brush with melted hot jelly *see notes

Notes

Adding a small amount of Rose Extract to the cookie dough recipe in place of the lemon extract (*I still used the zest though!) really adds a complex layer of flavor but be aware that too much can make it taste & smell like perfume! So ½ teaspoon to the entire recipe is more than enough! Or leave it out & follow the original flavor profile 
Brushing the finished pear tarts with melted jelly is the best way to seal the fruit for longer storage not to mention gives them a beautiful shine!
Storage Poached Pear Tarts must be kept refrigerated and will stay fresh for up to 3 days, the tart shell will start to absorb the moisture from the custard & turn soft over time. Tart shells can be made ahead of time & frozen for up to 1 month 
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!