As the holiday season approaches, there’s no better way to get into the festive spirit than by baking something that smells as cozy as it feels. This year, we’re celebrating the “12 Days of Christmas Recipes,” starting with a delicious Spiced Pear Galette. It’s the perfect mix of rustic elegance and holiday warmth, making it an ideal treat for both family gatherings and festive evenings by the fire. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to make a dessert that will fill your home with the comforting scents of cinnamon, nutmeg, and baked pears.
Ingredients
This Spiced Pear Galette combines the natural sweetness of ripe pears with the comforting warmth of holiday spices. The simplicity of this rustic pastry makes it a favorite for beginner bakers and seasoned pros alike. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- 2 pears, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon flour
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup white granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 roll of puff pastry dough
- ½ stick unsalted butter
Topping:
- Ice Cream (for serving, optional)
Tips for the Perfect Pear Galette
Creating a perfectly golden and flaky pear galette is simple with the right technique. Here are a few of my best tips to ensure your galette comes out looking (and tasting) like it’s straight from a bakery.
Use Ripe Pears: The flavor of this galette is only as good as the pears you use. Make sure your pears are ripe but not too soft. You want them to hold their shape during baking, but still be sweet and juicy.
Don’t Overfill the Galette: While you might be tempted to pile on more pears, try to avoid overfilling. The beauty of a galette lies in its simplicity and rustic charm, and overstuffing it can lead to a soggy bottom.
Cold Butter is Key: The small slices of cold butter that you dot over the pears are essential for creating that delicious, golden finish. The butter will melt and form a glaze as it bakes, so don’t skip this step!
Use Puff Pastry: While you can make your own pastry dough, using store-bought puff pastry dough will save time and effort without sacrificing flavor. The flakiness and golden color it gives your pear galette are perfect for the holidays.
Serve with Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream or even cinnamon ice cream on the side is a perfect complement to the warm, spiced pears. It adds a creamy richness that balances the spiciness of the galette.
Making this Spiced Pear Galette is as easy as it is delicious. Follow these simple steps to create a holiday-worthy dessert.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that your galette bakes at the perfect temperature to achieve a golden crust and tender filling.
Step 2: Prepare the Pears
Start by thinly slicing your pears. A mandolin slicer works great for uniform slices, but if you don’t have one, a sharp knife will do just fine. In a mixing bowl, toss the pear slices with 1 tablespoon of flour, the cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and both sugars (white and brown). Make sure the pears are well coated with the mixture, ensuring that every slice is seasoned with the warm, spicy goodness that will infuse the galette.
Step 3: Roll Out the Puff Pastry
Next, roll out the puff pastry dough on a piece of parchment paper. Gently fold in the edges of the dough to create a border. This is the rustic, freeform shape that gives the galette its charm. You don’t have to worry about it being perfect—let the edges fold naturally to create that homemade look.
Step 4: Assemble the Galette
Transfer your prepared pear slices to the center of the pastry, spreading them out evenly. You can arrange them in a circular pattern, allowing the beauty of the pears to show through. Leave about an inch around the edges where the dough folds up to form the crust.
Dot the pears with small slices of cold butter. This helps create a glossy, caramelized finish as the galette bakes. Don’t be afraid to use a little more butter than you think you need—this is the secret to achieving a beautifully rich, buttery finish.
Step 5: Fold the Dough and Bake
Carefully fold the edges of the pastry over the pears, creating a border. The edges don’t need to be perfect—this rustic look is part of the charm of a galette.
Transfer the entire galette to a baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the pears are tender. Keep an eye on it to make sure the crust doesn’t get too dark, but also be patient to allow the flavors to develop.
Step 6: Serve
Let the galette cool for a few minutes, and then serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The cold ice cream paired with the warm spiced pears is truly a match made in heaven.
FAQ about Pear Galette
Can I Use Other Fruits Besides Pears?
Absolutely! While pears are the star of this recipe, you can easily substitute them with apples, peaches, or even a combination of fruits. Just make sure the fruits are firm enough to hold up during baking, and adjust the spices accordingly to complement the new fruit.
How Do I Make the Crust Crispy?
For a crispier crust, make sure your puff pastry dough is cold when you begin. If it’s too soft, it can result in a soggy bottom. Also, placing the galette on a preheated baking sheet can help the bottom cook evenly and become crispy.
Can I Prepare the Galette Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the pear galette in advance by assembling it and then refrigerating it until you’re ready to bake. Just make sure to let it come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before baking to ensure an even bake.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
If you happen to have any leftovers (though that’s unlikely!), store the pear galette in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, simply warm it in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes to regain its crispiness.
This Spiced Pear Galette is a perfect start to our “12 Days of Christmas Recipes.” It’s the ideal blend of festive spices, seasonal pears, and buttery pastry, creating a dessert that’s both simple and sophisticated. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering or enjoying a quiet moment by the fire, this galette will surely become a holiday favorite.
So, embrace the spirit of the season and treat yourself and your loved ones to this beautifully rustic dessert. Stay tuned for more holiday recipes as we continue our 12 Days of Christmas celebration!
Spiced Pear Galette
Equipment
- 9x13 Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
- 2 pears thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon flour
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup white granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 roll puff pastry pastry dough
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Topping
- Ice Cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, add the 2 pears, 1 tablespoon flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ⅛ teaspoon salt, ¼ cup brown sugar, and ¼ cup white granulated sugar
- Coat the pear slices in the mixture, tossing until the dry ingredients are fully melted into them.
- Unfold the 1 roll puff pastry pastry dough on the parchment paper and create a round border, by folding the edges of the puff pastry inwards slightly as the edges of the galette.
- Transfer the pears to the center of the pastry sheet. Spread the sliced pears evenly throughout the sheet in an aesthetic circular style, covering all areas except the edges where you create the 1 inch border.
- Place small slices of2 tbsp unsalted butter on top of the pears throughout the galette, to melt and create a glazed finish when baking.
- Now fold each side of the square over the edge of the peaches to enclose the tart.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.
- Serve with a scoop of Ice Cream to finish and enjoy while warm!
