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Thin Pear Tart

Here’s a great weeknight dessert option—no rolling pin required. The cream cheese dough comes together quite easily, and is simply patted into a thin round. A single pear is thinly sliced, then tossed in a bowl with pear brandy, sugar, and lemon juice. The mixture is then fanned out over the dough before baking. Whipped cream makes a nice accompaniment, as does a snifter of pear brandy, naturally.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 8

Ingredients

2 ounces cream cheese
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons pear brandy (or regular brandy)
1 ripe, firm Bosc or Red Bartlett pear
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 400°F. Combine cream cheese and butter in a food processor. Add the flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and the salt, and process until combined. (Dough will be sticky.) On a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet, with lightly floured fingers, pat dough into an even 8-inch round.

    Step 2

    In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup sugar with the lemon juice and brandy. Halve pear lengthwise, and core (leave skin on). Cut each half lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices; transfer to lemon-juice mixture; coat well. Drain slices in strainer. Arrange around outer edge of dough, overlapping slightly, then arrange remaining slices in center. Sprinkle tart with remaining 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar. Dust pears with the cinnamon. Bake until golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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