How to Make a Rustic Pear Galette

This rustic pear galette recipe is a great fall dessert featuring pear slices atop a delicious galette dough baked until golden brown. This pear dessert is easy and will quickly become a family favorite!

If you are anything like my family, we are constantly on the go in the summer months, soaking up every croaking frog and glowing firefly.

Late nights and sleepy mornings are so enjoyable, but those chilly, fall days are a welcomed change.

Galettes are perfect for a fall weeknight dinner and will also serve as a show stopping dessert for a weekend potluck with friends.

Unlike a pie, galettes are less of a fuss, and can be made without any special baking dishes.

This rustic pear galette is perfect served with some homemade vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Just one bite of this warm buttery crust and sweet juicy pears will have you wishing pears were ripe all year round. 

What is a pear galette?

A galette is a flat, round cake that is made out of pastry dough.

Just to push back on the norms, I like to make mine in a bit of a wonky rectangle.

Galettes can be filled with fruit to make a sweet dessert, or filled with meats and cheeses for a savory treat.

Since the fall brings fresh ripe pears, this recipe is a great way to use them up before they go bad. 

My French Apple pie is another staple dessert to use while you enjoy your warm coffee and crisp mornings.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Unlike other pastry desserts, galettes are very forgiving and give a simple, yet beautiful rustic appearance. There is very little fuss and can be made by the most novice of bakers. The galette crust is simply folded over on the sides to hold things in place.
• This recipe calls for store bought pastry dough to make the process even easier. By using pre-made dough you can make this dessert in even less time. 
• Most of the ingredients used in this recipe you should already have on hand, so pulling this together at the last minute is quick and easy. 
• While most baking is very precise and delicate, this recipe can be very forgiving. Rip a hole in the dough? No problem, just patch it up with an extra piece of dough. Don’t have pears? You can use almost any stone fruit in this recipe, apples or peaches would be absolutely delicious. 
• This recipe can be made ahead of time and baked just before ready to serve, so you can spend more time with your family and guests and less time in the kitchen.
• While this recipe calls for a sweet pear filling, you can easily substitute the filling and enjoy a savory galette for supper. The end result will be just as delicious.

Tell me about pear galettes

• Taste– Fresh juicy pears, buttery pastry dough and warm spices make this dish so flavorful. You can serve it warm with ice cream or whipped cream on top or room temperature on its own, both versions are delicious.   
• Texture– This desert has soft silky pears that melt in your mouth, a soft crust that is perfectly browned with an egg wash on top. Adding some turbinado sugar to the top adds a sweet crispy texture that balances out the dish.  
• Ease– With simple ingredients and minimal preparation, this recipe comes together and needs very little tending. Because the pastry dough is already made this desert comes together in an even shorter amount of time. Pile the pears in the center of the dough and then fold edges of dough over to create a wall around the filling.
• Time– You can make your own pastry dough ahead of time or use store bought pastry dough to make this dish in under an hour. 

Ingredients for pear galettes

• Refrigerated pastry dough – This recipe uses a pre-made pastry dough for ease and convenience. You can also make your own dough using 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt,1/2 cup unsalted butter and 1/4 cup ice water. In a food processor, combine flour, salt, and butter. Pulse until they are coarse crumbs. While the food processor is running, add the water slowly until a dough ball forms. Cover in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour before rolling out.
• Pears – You can use whatever style pears you prefer. Bartlett and Bosc pears are common because of their sweet flavor and silky texture. You can peel or leave the skin on depending on your preference. 
• Butter -Using butter to mix in the spices and pour over the pear mixture, adds a salty flavor and smooth texture to the filling. Because the butter contains fat it will also make the filling thick and gooey. 
• Maple Syrup – Maple syrup adds a sweet almost caramel flavor that helps make the pears sweeter and creates an out of this world flavor for the filling.
• Cinnamon and Ginger – The warming spices add a burst of flavor that really rounds out the dish and makes the flavor of the pears really come through. 
• Vanilla – Vanilla extract is a staple in many deserts and it is no exception in the recipe. Adding a teaspoon of vanilla will really amp up the flavors and give a nice robust flavor to the filling. If you are out of vanilla, you may substitute almond extract, too.
• Course Sugar– Adding a coarse sugar like turbinado or coconut sugar really adds an extra crunch and sweetness to the desert. It also makes the galette look beautiful as the sugar caramelizes in the oven and gives the dough a beautiful brown color. 

Make pear galettes in 3 easy steps

1. Prepare Pie dough- Roll out the pastry dough into a circle with a rolling pin. Transfer dough to a parchment lined baking sheet. Add pears on top leaving a 2-inch border around the edge. I like to line them up, but you can mound the pear mixture on the center of the crust, also.
2. Make Filling- Mix filling ingredients in a saucepan on the stove. Brush sauce over filling and pastry edges.
3. Bake– Bake in a 400 degree oven for 25-30 min. Let cool. Enjoy!

How to make a galette with homemade pastry dough

To make make a handmade pie crust you will need:

• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup ice water

In a food processor, combine flour, salt, and butter. Pulse until they are coarse crumbs. While the food processor is running, add the water slowly until a dough ball forms. Cover in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour before rolling out.

If you do not have a food processor you can mix ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.

Add cold butter to the dry ingredients and use a pastry cutter to cut in the butter until the mixture becomes coarse crumbs.

Then slowly fold in ice water until a dough ball forms.

You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

How do you store leftover pear galette?

Baked galette can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.

Cool completely on a wire rack before storing.

You can also store galette wrapped in aluminum foil in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or the freezer for a couple of weeks.

When you are ready to serve, just warm in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 min or until warmed through. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Pear Galette Recipe