Unique in every way! Beautiful in looks and packed with the flavor of poached pears, cinnamon, vanilla and finished with an orange-flavored liqueur. For added pizzazz, a cinnamon and butter liquid is brushed on baked pears. Enjoy!
For the Tart:
~ 1 cup flour
~ 1/2 tsp baking powder
~ Pinch of salt
~ 1 stick unsalted butter, room temp.
~ 1/2 cup sugar
~ 1 egg
~ 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
~ 1/4 tsp almond extract
~ 1 tsp Grand Marnier liqueur
For the Pears:
~ 5-6 small pears
~ 1 Tbsp butter
~ 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
~ 1 Tbsp sugar for sprinkling
Step 1: Prepare Flour
In the bowl sift flour, baking powder, and salt.
Step 2: Prepare Pears
Pears should be ripe and soft, otherwise, they should be poached.**
To prepare pears: peel the skin; slice the bottom of each pear so it can stand by itself on a flat surface (keeping in mind they all should be the same height after bottom trimming). Remove the core with core remover tool. [Poach them, if needed].
Step 3: Make Batter
In the mixer (paddle attachment) cream butter with sugar until light and fluffy.
Add egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and Grand Marnier.
Add flour mixture (at once) and mix only until combined.
Step 4: Prepare Cinnamon Mixture
In pot melt butter. Once melted remove from heat and add cinnamon. Whisk until combined.
Step 5: Bake
Line and butter 14” rectangular tart pan with removable bottom.
Pour the batter into the tart pan and even it out.
Arrange the pears.
Brush each pear with cinnamon mixture. Sprinkle with sugar.
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.
Let it cool off; brush it again with cinnamon mixture.
Optional: sprinkle with powdered sugar on top.
** To poach pears:
~ 1 cup or more water
~ 1 cinnamon stick
~ 1-2 Tbsp honey
~ 1/4 cup white wine (optional)
In the pot boil water with a cinnamon stick, honey, and wine. Lower the heat and place pears (they need to be covered by the liquid). Cook for about 10 min., just enough that they are soft but still semi-firm to touch as they will continue baking in the oven.
Remove the pears onto a plate lined with paper towel to cool off. Put aside.