Almond-Pear Tart

melmaddie's Note:

I found this recipe from Southern Living. I made it for Easter dinner and everyone raved about it. It is quite easy to make, and well worth it.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 8-16

Yield: 1.0 10 inch ...

• 1 (15 ounce) package refrigerated pie crusts
• 6 ½ tablespoons butter , softened and divided
• 4 ounces almond paste , crumbled
• 5 tablespoons sugar , divided
• ¼ cup brandy , divided
• 1⁄3; cup all-purpose flour , plus
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour , divided
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract
• 2 pears , peeled and thinly sliced
• ½ cup apricot preserves
• 1 tablespoon whipping cream

garnish

• sweetened cream
• sliced almonds
• ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Unfold piecrusts; stack on a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 12 inch circle. Fit into a 10 inch pan with removable bottome, trim excess pastry.
2. Beat 4 tablespoons butter, almond paste, 1 tablespoon sugar, 2 tablespoons brandy, 1/3 cup flour and next 3 ingredients at medium speed with a mixer until blended, spread in crust.
3. Toss together 2 tablespoons sugar and pears, arrange in cicles, overlapping slices, on top of filling.
4. Cook preserves in a saucepan over low heat until melted. Pour through a fine wire mesh strainer, discarding solids. Stir in 1 tablespoon butter, remaining 2 tablespoons brandy, and cream, drizzle over pears.
5. Combine remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and remaining 2 tablespoons flour, cut in remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons butter with a fork until blended. Sprinkle over pears.
6. Bake at 400 on bottom rack for about 40 minutes. Cool in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes. Garnish if desired.

Reviews

[Cathi50]

First of all- very tasty! I thought the way the recipe was written was kinda confusing- I'd re-write with- the ingredients and steps like- 1. the pie crust direction and put in fridge or freezer while you go on to other steps. 2. the topping directions- set aside 3.prepare the pears- (my pan took 3 large pears) set aside 4.make the filling- spread in the prepared crust- then go from there. Also I think slightly unripe pears would hold up better after 40 mins in the oven. So I'm giving it 4 stars- only because of the way its written. Everyone loved it- not a bit left!

[TattooedMamaof2]

Very good! I didn't have any Brandy, so I made an apple juice reduction to take it's place. I also needed to add 2 more pears to fill a regular pie dish. Thanks

[Not-2-Sweet]

A Big hit at Thanksgiving! My son requested an almond tart, but I had never made one before. This was really easy to put together, looked fancy, and everyone went nuts over it.. especially the men. Thanks for a great recipe!