Gilded Pear Pastries with Nutty Filling
Indulge your senses with these delightful Gilded Pear Pastries, where juicy, ripe yet firm pears are enveloped in a flaky, buttery pastry. Each pear is lovingly filled with a rich baklava-inspired blend of chopped pecans, honey, and a hint of zesty lemon that brings out the natural sweetness of the fruit. The addition of a coarse sugar crust not only enhances the visual appeal but also adds a delightful crunch to every bite. These pastries can be prepared ahead of time for easy baking whenever you're ready to impress your guests, making them perfect for gatherings or a special dessert after a lovely dinner. For an artistic touch, use any excess dough to craft charming leaves to top your pears, or leave the stems intact for a rustic presentation. Serve warm, drizzled with a touch of honey for an unforgettable finish.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pears
4 (ripe but firm, cored and peeled)
Chopped pecans
1/2 cup (raw, chopped)
Honey
1 tablespoon (for filling)
Grated lemon peel
1 teaspoon (freshly grated)
Refrigerated pie crust
1 (1/2 of a 15 ounce package, rolled out)
Milk
2 tablespoons (for brushing)
Coarse sugar
1/4 cup (for sprinkling)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet.
2
In a small bowl, combine the chopped pecans, honey, and grated lemon peel; mix until well blended.
3
Using a melon baller, carefully remove the cores from the bottom of each pear, ensuring not to break the fruit. Once cored, peel the pears with a vegetable peeler.
4
Stuff each pear with approximately 2 tablespoons of the pecan mixture, pressing gently to pack it in.
5
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the refrigerated pie crust to form a 12-inch circle and cut it into four equal wedges. Place each pear at the wide end of its respective wedge.
6
Brush the edges of the pastry with a thin layer of milk to help seal the dumplings. Carefully fold the dough around the pears, trimming any excess, and pressing to seal securely.
7
If you would like to prepare them in advance, cover the wrapped pears and refrigerate for up to several hours. Remember to add an additional 5 minutes of baking time if chilled before baking.
8
Brush the exposed pastry with milk and generously sprinkle with coarse sugar for that signature shine and crunch.
9
Bake in the preheated oven until the pastry is golden brown and the pears are tender, approximately 25 minutes (30 minutes if coming straight from the refrigerator).
10
For a sweet finishing touch, drizzle the warm pastries with additional honey before serving. Enjoy your exquisite Gilded Pear Pastries warm.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Gilded Pear Pastries with Nutty Filling?
They are a dessert featuring ripe pears stuffed with a baklava-inspired pecan and honey filling, wrapped in a buttery pie crust.
What kind of pears should I use for this recipe?
You should use pears that are ripe but still firm to ensure they hold their shape while baking.
What is in the nutty filling?
The filling is a blend of chopped raw pecans, honey, and freshly grated lemon peel.
How do I remove the cores from the pears?
Use a melon baller to carefully remove the cores from the bottom of each pear without breaking the fruit.
Should the pears be peeled?
Yes, once cored, the pears should be peeled with a vegetable peeler.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
How much pecan filling goes into each pear?
Stuff each pear with approximately 2 tablespoons of the pecan mixture.
What type of pastry is used for these pear dumplings?
The recipe uses a refrigerated pie crust, specifically half of a 15-ounce package.
How should I prepare the pie crust?
Roll the pie crust into a 12-inch circle on a lightly floured surface and cut it into four equal wedges.
Where do I place the pear on the pastry wedge?
Place each pear at the wide end of its respective pastry wedge before folding.
How do I seal the dough around the pears?
Brush the edges of the pastry with milk to help seal the dough securely as you fold it around the fruit.
Can I prepare these pastries in advance?
Yes, you can wrap the pears and refrigerate them for up to several hours before baking.
Does chilling the pastries change the baking time?
Yes, if the pastries have been chilled, add an additional 5 minutes to the baking time.
What should I brush on the exterior of the pastry?
Brush the exposed pastry with milk to help it achieve a golden shine.
What is used to give the crust its crunch?
A generous sprinkle of coarse sugar on the milk-brushed pastry adds a signature crunch.
How long do the pastries need to bake?
They bake for approximately 25 minutes, or 30 minutes if they were refrigerated beforehand.
How do I know when the Gilded Pear Pastries are done?
The pastries are done when the crust is golden brown and the pears inside are tender.
How should I serve these pastries?
Serve them warm, ideally drizzled with a touch of additional honey for a sweet finish.
Can I add decorative elements to the pastries?
Yes, you can use any excess dough to craft charming leaves to place on top of your pears.
Is it okay to leave the pear stems on?
Yes, leaving the stems intact provides a lovely rustic presentation.
What kind of baking sheet should I use?
Use a parchment-lined baking sheet to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 4 individual pear pastries.
Is the lemon peel used for the flavor or texture?
The grated lemon peel is used to provide a zesty flavor that enhances the natural sweetness of the pears.
Can I use different nuts instead of pecans?
While the recipe calls for pecans for a baklava style, you could experiment with other chopped nuts like walnuts.
What makes the pastries 'gilded'?
The 'gilded' look comes from the golden brown pastry finished with a shiny milk wash and coarse sugar.
Is the honey used only in the filling?
No, honey is used both in the nutty filling and as a drizzle for serving.
What tools do I need for preparing the pears?
You will need a melon baller for coring and a vegetable peeler for removing the skin.
Can these be served for holiday gatherings?
Yes, their impressive presentation and warm flavors make them perfect for holidays or special dinners.
Is the pie crust made from scratch in this recipe?
The recipe suggests using a convenient refrigerated pie crust.
What texture should the filling be?
The filling should be well-blended and thick enough to be pressed gently into the cored pear.