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French Almond Pear Gratin Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 121 reviews

This French Almond Pear Gratin is a luscious and elegant dessert combining the rich, buttery flavor of ground almonds with the sweet, juicy pears baked to a golden finish. Perfectly textured and subtly flavored with almond extract, this gratin offers a delightful balance of nutty and fruity notes, making it an excellent choice for a cozy, comforting treat or a refined dinner party finale.

Ingredients

Scale

Almond Mixture

  • 2/3 cup (150g) unsalted butter, at room temperature (+ some extra for greasing the dish)
  • 6 tbsp (75g) sugar
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cup (155g) ground almonds (meal or flour)
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1/4 tsp almond extract

Fruit and Finishing

  • 4 to 5 large pears
  • 2 tbsp (25g) sugar, for sprinkling
  • 1 tbsp powdered sugar (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Almond Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the room temperature butter, 6 tablespoons sugar, and salt until smooth. Then add the ground almonds and mix just until combined. Next, incorporate the eggs and almond extract, mixing again just until the batter is uniform.
  2. Prepare Baking Dish and Oven: Butter a baking dish generously to prevent sticking. Spread the almond mixture evenly over the bottom of the dish. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) with a rack set in the middle to ensure even baking.
  3. Prepare Pears: Peel, core, and quarter the pears. Arrange the pear quarters on top of the almond mixture evenly spaced about ½ inch apart, gently pressing each piece into the almond base so they are nestled but not overcrowded.
  4. Add Sugar and Bake: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sugar evenly over the top of the pears and almond mixture. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden. Check doneness by inserting a knife or toothpick into the almond mixture; it should come out clean.
  5. Finishing Touch: Once out of the oven and slightly cooled, lightly dust the top with powdered sugar if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature, ideally paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent dessert experience.

Notes

  • Use ripe but firm pears to ensure they hold their shape during baking.
  • Allow eggs and butter to come to room temperature for best mixing and texture.
  • Do not overcrowd pears in the dish to ensure even baking and caramelization.
  • Powdered sugar is optional but adds an elegant finish and slight sweetness on top.
  • This dessert can be served warm or at room temperature, and pairs beautifully with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Keywords: pear gratin, almond dessert, French dessert, baked pear, almond flour dessert, pear recipe, elegant dessert

Find it online: https://victoriablair.com/french-almond-pear-gratin-recipe/