Pear Dumplings #OurFamilyTable #FamilyBakingChallenge

Pears are a delicious treat. I love to snack on them as such or include them in my salads. So never tried to bake with them. I don't know why I have never tried that. So when I saw Christie hosting Perfect Pear Recipes (#OurFamilyTable), I thought to try them for the first time. 

Also, there was #FamilyBakingChallenge from Melissa's produce. There were two recipes using Butterscotch pears for that event. I decided to combine the event and try baking with pears. I tried the pear dumplings. I loved the outcome. I diced the pears instead of using half of the pear as per the recipe given by Melissa's produce. Also, halved the crust recipe. That's because I wanted to try making a 3-D pear-shaped pastry. The pears did hold the shape after baking but were tender. With buttery flaky crust melting in the mouth, and sweet pears and nuts inside, really really loved it with a drizzle of caramel. 

Ingredients

makes 6

Crust

• All-purpose flour - 1.25 cups 

• Salt - 1/2 tsp 

• Butter - 1/2 cup, cold, diced

• Water - 3-4 tbsp, ice water
• 
  

Pear Filling

Pears - 1.5 cups, diced

Brown sugar - 3 tbsp

Walnuts - 1/4 cup, chopped, toasted

Butter - 1 tbsp, melted

Lemon juice - 1/2 tbsp

cloves - 6 (optional)

Milk - 1 tsp, for brushing

Caramel sauce - for serving

Method

For the crust

In a bowl, add the flour, salt, cut cold butter, and mix to form crumbs just like a pie crust. Add 3 -4 tbsp ice-cold water and make a dough. Cover with a wrap and refrigerate for an hour.

For the filling

In a bowl, add the pears, nuts, brown sugar, lemon juice, melted butter, mix and keep aside. Do not mix well ahead as the liquid will ooze out. Make it just before rolling the crust.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. After an hour, on a flour-dusted surface, gently roll the crust into 1/8inch thickness and cut into four 6-inch circles. Roll the rest of the dough again and make two more. There may be a couple of tbsp of the dough left which could be used for decorations.

Fill 1/4 cup of pear filling and make it into a pear shape. Keep a clove at the top. Add a couple of leaves and score them if preferred. Brush with milk. 

Bake for about 30 - 35 minutes until it is golden brown. Cool on a cooling rack. 

Serve with a generous drizzle of caramel sauce.

I am posting this recipe for Perfect Pear Recipes from #OurFamilyTable group. Thanks, Christie for hosting the event. 

Here is a quick link for other "The Perfect Pear Recipe".

• Cinnamon Baked Pears by Making Miracles
• Oatmeal Cookie Pear Bars by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Pear Dumpling by Magical Ingredients
• Pear Frangipane Tart by Art of Natural Living
• Roasted Pear and Blue Cheese Salad by That Recipe

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Tips

Refrigerate the remaining ones and what you made ahead. Before serving, warm in oven and serve.