Orchard Pear Tart Get a head start on the Christmas dessert by baking the tart shell in advance. By BHG Test Kitchen BHG Test Kitchen The Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen has been in continuous operation for nearly 100 years, developing and testing practical, reliable recipes that readers can enjoy at home. The Test Kitchen team includes culinary specialists, food stylists, registered and licensed nutritionists, and other experts with Bachelor of Science degrees in food science, food and nutrition, or culinary arts. Together, the team tests more than 2,500 recipes, produces more than 2,500 food images, and creates more than 1,000 food videos each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on March 5, 2019 Print Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Scott Little Prep Time: 45 mins Bake Time: 13 mins Bake Time: 35 mins Cool Time: 20 mins Total Time: 45 mins Servings: 12 Jump to Nutrition Facts Ingredients 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour 2 tablespoon sugar ½ cup butter 1 egg, slightly beaten 2 tablespoon ice water 6 tablespoon butter 1 egg 1 egg yolk ⅓ cup sugar 3 tablespoon all-purpose flour 3 firm ripe pears, such as Bartlett or Bosc 1 cup water 2 tablespoon lemon juice ⅓ cup apricot preserves 1 tablespoon pear liqueur (optional) Pear Chips (see recipe below) (optional) Pear Chips 1 Seckel or Forelle pear Directions Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. For crust, in a medium bowl, stir together the 1-1/2 cups flour and the 2 tablespoons sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut in the 1/2 cup butter until pieces are pea-size. In a small bowl, combine the 1 beaten egg and 1 tablespoon of the ice water. Gradually stir egg mixture into flour mixture with a fork. Sprinkle remaining ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, over mixture, tossing gently to moisten all of the mixture. Form dough into a ball. If necessary, cover and chill about 30 minutes or until easy to handle. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 12-inch circle. Wrap pastry around rolling pin; unroll into an 11-inch tart pan with removable bottom. Ease pastry into tart pan, being careful not to stretch pastry. Trim pastry even with rim of pan. Line pastry with a double thickness of foil. Bake for 8 minutes. Remove foil. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes more or just until pastry is golden brown. Remove from oven. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees F. For custard filling, in a small saucepan, heat the 6 tablespoons butter over medium heat until golden brown; cool for 5 minutes. In a medium bowl, beat the 1 egg and the egg yolk with a wire whisk until combined. Whisk in the 1/3 cup sugar, then the 3 tablespoons flour. Whisk in cooled browned butter; set aside. Halve, core, and peel pears. Dip pears into a mixture of the 1 cup water and the lemon juice; drain on paper towels. Using a sharp, thin-blade knife and beginning about 1/2 inch from the narrow end of each pear half, cut pear into 1/8-inch slices, leaving pear attached at the top. Carefully transfer pears to crust-lined pan, placing narrow ends toward center of pan; press pears slightly to fan. Spoon custard filling around pears. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until custard filling is set. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes. In a small saucepan, melt preserves; strain to remove pieces of fruit. If desired, stir pear liqueur into melted preserves. Spoon or brush preserve mixture evenly over pears. If desired, garnish with Pear Chips. Makes 12 servings. Pear Chips Using a mandoline, very thinly slice pear. Place pear slices on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a 300 degree F oven about 20 minutes or until slices are golden and crisp, turning once. Prepare and bake crust as directed; cool. Place in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to 24 hours. Assemble and bake tart as directed. Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 423 Calories 24g Fat 49g Carbs 5g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 12 Calories 423 % Daily Value * Total Fat 24g 31% Saturated Fat 14g 70% Cholesterol 137mg 46% Sodium 238mg 10% Total Carbohydrate 49g 18% Protein 5g *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.