Golden French Pear Tart with Almond Cream

Ingredients

• 1 cups flour, sifted
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold, cubed
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 tablespoons ice water

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup almond flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon rum

• 3 medium ripe pears, peeled, halved, cored
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

1. 01
   To prepare the crust, mix flour and sugar in a bowl. Add cubed butter and rub into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.
2. 02
   Add egg yolk and ice water to the mixture, and blend until the dough comes together. Form into a disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
3. 03
   Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the dough on a floured surface and line a 9-inch tart pan. Trim excess dough and prick the base with a fork. Chill for 15 minutes.
4. 04
   Blind bake the crust using pie weights for 15 minutes. Remove weights and bake for another 10 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely.
5. 05
   For the almond cream, beat softened butter and sugar until creamy. Add almond flour, eggs, vanilla, and rum, and mix until smooth.
6. 06
   In a saucepan, combine water, sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla for poaching. Bring to a simmer, and add pears. Poach for 15 minutes until tender. Let cool and slice thinly.
7. 07
   Spread almond cream evenly over the cooled tart crust. Arrange pear slices in a spiral pattern on top of the almond cream.
8. 08
   Bake the tart at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes, until the almond cream is set and golden. Cool on a wire rack before serving.