Introduction:
A Spiced Pear Galette is everything we love about pie—flaky crust, juicy fruit, cozy spices—without the fuss
of a perfect crimped edge or a deep pie dish. Galette is basically the “rustic French cousin” of pie: you roll out the dough,
pile fruit in the center, and fold the edges over. That’s it. And the result looks effortlessly beautiful, like something you
picked up at a bakery on a snowy afternoon.
Pears are ideal for galettes because they bake into a tender, jammy filling while still holding their shape. Add cinnamon,
ginger, a touch of nutmeg, and a little vanilla, and your kitchen will smell like the holidays. This dessert is perfect for
Thanksgiving, Christmas, winter brunches, or any time you want a warm, comforting bake that’s impressive but not stressful.
This recipe also gives you options: you can keep it classic with just pears and spice, add cranberries for tart pop, drizzle
caramel for extra indulgence, or sprinkle chopped nuts for crunch. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, and
you’ve got a dessert that feels cozy and elegant at the same time.
Ingredients:
For the galette crust (homemade)
- 1 1/4 cups (160g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 3–5 tbsp ice water
- Optional: 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (helps tenderness)
Shortcut option: 1 store-bought pie crust (works great).
For the spiced pear filling
- 3–4 ripe but firm pears (Bartlett, Anjou, or Bosc), thinly sliced
- 2–3 tbsp brown sugar (adjust to sweetness of pears)
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar (optional)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (or 1 1/2 tbsp flour) to thicken juices
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- Pinch of nutmeg (or allspice)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (keeps pears bright + balances sweetness)
- Pinch of salt
For assembling
- 1 egg, beaten (egg wash for golden crust)
- 1–2 tbsp coarse sugar (for crunch and sparkle)
- 1 tbsp butter, cut into tiny pieces (optional, for richer filling)
Optional toppings
- Caramel sauce
- Chopped toasted pecans or walnuts
- Fresh thyme (tiny sprigs for a fancy look)
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
