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3.0 from 6 votes

Pear and Mascarpone Tart with Almond Shortbread Crust

Pear and Mascarpone Tart with Almond Shortbread Crust: A simple tart with a nutty shortbread crust, creamy mascarpone filling and a sweet pear topping.

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Additional Time
45 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 10 slices
Calories: 477 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Almond Shortbread Crust
  • 1 1/2 ticks (170g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup (67g) sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp Nielsen-Massey Pure Almond Extract
  • 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste
  • 1 tsp flaked sea salt
  • 2 cups (256g) all-purpose flour
Vanilla Mascarpone Filling
  • 12 oz (335g) mascarpone cheese, room temperature
  • 3 tbsp powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp 1/2 tsp Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste
  • 1/2 tsp Nielsen-Massey Pure Almond Extract
Pear Topping
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 large pears, peeled cored and sliced into 1/8-1/4-inch slices
  • 2 1/2 tbsp packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously grease a tart pan with butter. Coat in flour. Make sure to shake off all excess flour.
  2. Add 1 1/2 sticks (170g) of butter to the bottom of a stand mixer. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add sugar, beat another 2-3 minutes. Add vanilla and beat just until combined. Add flour and salt, and mix on low speed, just until combined.
  3. Transfer dough to prepared pan, and use fingers and palm of hand to press the dough into the bottom of the pan and up the sides. Bake until lightly golden brown and puffed, about 15-20 minutes. (Start checking at 15 minutes.) Let the pie crust cool completely.
  4. While the crust cools, make the filling and pear topping. Add mascarpone, powdered sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla bean paste, and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract to the bottom of a stand mixer. Beat on medium speed until combined, set aside.
  5. Heat a large non-stick pan to a medium-high heat. Add remaining 2 tablespoons unsalted butter. Once the butter melts, let it begin to brown. Once it turns brown, start to swirl the pan. Continue to swirl the pan until the butter turns a deep, brown color and smells nutty. Turn the heat down and add pears.
  6. Coat pears in the brown butter, and cook until pears are slightly softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add brown sugar. Continue to cook until pears are soft, another 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla bean paste. Toss until coated. Transfer to a plate or bowl and cool completely.
  7. To assemble: Spread vanilla mascarpone mixture into the bottom of the cooled shortbread crust. Arrange the pears slices artfully on top. Spoon any accumulated juices on top of the pears. Sprinkle with flake sea salt if desired.
  8. Serve at room temperature or chilled. 

Nutrition Information

Serving 1slice Calories 477kcal (24%) Carbohydrates 42g (14%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 32g (49%) Saturated Fat 20g (100%) Cholesterol 77mg (26%) Sodium 256mg (11%) Potassium 115mg (3%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 19g (38%) Vitamin A 988IU (20%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 64mg (6%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10slices

Amount Per Serving

Calories 477

% Daily Value*

Serving 1slice
Calories 477kcal 24%
Carbohydrates 42g 14%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 32g 49%
Saturated Fat 20g 100%
Cholesterol 77mg 26%
Sodium 256mg 11%
Potassium 115mg 2%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 19g 38%
Vitamin A 988IU 20%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 64mg 6%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.