Spiced Pear Galette

Author & Photographer: Olivia Xiong

Delicately sweet and fragrant, pears serve as the understated star in this simple yet elegant galette. Flavored with vanilla bean, ground cardamom, and Chinese five-spice powder, the pear’s subtle natural flavor is elevated into an exceptionally warm and comforting autumnal dessert that can be enjoyed year-round. Buttery, flaky pastry dough serves as the perfect complementary base for these spiced pears, providing richness and crisp texture to each bite. The best part about making a galette? While seemingly elegant, galettes are a deceptively simple dessert to prepare: the more rustic (i.e. not perfect) in appearance, the better it seems to taste. Serve the galette warm, topped with dollops of chantilly cream or vanilla ice cream, for the perfect bite.

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Servings: 6

Prep time: 25 minutes

Cook time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 prepared pie dough*

For the filling:

• 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped

• 3 tbsp granulated sugar

• 3 tbsp tapioca starch or cornstarch

• ½ tsp kosher salt**

• ½ tsp ground Chinese five-spice powder

• ¼ tsp ground cardamom

• 3 large, crisp, semi-tart pears***

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  

For the egg wash:

• 1 large egg

• 1 tbsp heavy cream

• ⅛ tsp kosher salt**

* Using prepared pie dough is fantastic for saving time or if you’re in a pinch, but you may definitely prepare and use pie dough from scratch in this recipe.

** Can be substituted with half volume of table salt.

*** Use firm pears. Bosc or Seckel varieties work well in this recipe!

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Prepare the dough

   a. Roll prepared pie dough into a 14-inch round.

   b. Transfer to a parchment-lined sheet pan, cover with plastic, and refrigerate to relax and chill dough.

3. Prepare the filling

   a. Combine vanilla bean seeds and sugar together.

   b. Whisk in tapioca starch or cornstarch, salt, Chinese five-spice powder, and cardamom.  

   c. Wash, quarter, core, and cut pears into 1/4-inch slices.

   d. Add pear slices to bowl with filling mixture and add apple cider vinegar.

   e. Toss mixture until sugar dissolves.

4. Assemble the galette

   a. Gently arrange pear slices over chilled dough in a roughly 10-inch ring.

   b. Drizzle remaining liquid from filling over pears.

   c. Carefully make slits in the dough border, approximately 5 inches apart.

   d. Fold slits over the pears, ensuring each segment overlaps with the one before.

   e. Chill.

5. Prepare egg wash

   a. Whisk egg, egg yolk, heavy cream, and salt together.

   b. Gently brush egg wash over chilled dough in a thin, even layer.

6. Bake

   a. Bake for 35 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling bubbles.

   b. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.

7. Serving

   a. Slice galette into wedges and serve warm.

Recipe adapted from: Serious Eats