Description
A delightful pastry with a flaky crust filled with sweet poached pears and rich almond cream, perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- Puff Pastry
- Pears (Bartlett or Anjou)
- Almond Paste or Almond Flour
- Butter
- Sugar
- 1 Egg
- Cinnamon or Vanilla Extract (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Pears: Peel and core your pears, then slice them thinly. In a saucepan, add the pears with just enough water to cover and simmer over medium heat until tender, about 5-7 minutes. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon.
- Make the Almond Cream: In a bowl, mix the almond paste (or ground almonds), softened butter, and sugar until smooth. Stir in an egg to create a creamy texture.
- Roll Out the Puff Pastry: Divide the puff pastry into two equal circles, about 10 inches in diameter. Place one circle on your prepared baking sheet.
- Assemble the Pithivier: Spread the almond cream on the first pastry circle, leaving about an inch from the edge. Lay the poached pear slices on top of the almond cream. Brush a bit of the beaten egg along the edges.
- Cover with the Second Circle: Carefully place the second pastry circle on top and crimp the edges to seal. Use a sharp knife to score a decorative pattern on the top.
- Brush with Egg Wash: Finally, brush the top with the remaining egg for a lovely finish.
- Bake: Place it in the oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and puffy.
- Cool and Serve: Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature, ideally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
For best results, allow your puff pastry to rest and chill before rolling it out. Score the top to allow steam to escape.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: pithivier, pear dessert, almond pastry, French dessert, holiday dessert