Caramelized Pear & Brie Tart with Cranberries and Candied Pecans

Time for another prize winner, perfect for autumn, great to pin and save for Thanksgiving. This savory tart is creamy and crunchy, sweet and flaky. The only problem is that it is so good that you’ll be asked to make it again and again. It won 3rd place in Imperial Sugar’s 2012 Homemade Holidays Recipe Contest.  Enjoy!

Prep time : 40 minutes

Baking time: :50 minutes

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour*
• 1 tablespoon Imperial Sugar Extra Fine Granulated Sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons chilled water
• 3 pears
• 1 tablespoon Imperial Sugar Light Brown Sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy cream (or substitute sour cream)
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup candied pecans
• 1 cup brie cheese, cut into small chunks
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries (craisins)

*Spoon & Sweep method: Use a spoon to fill your measuring cup with flour until the required amount is obtained. Scooping your measuring cup directly into the flour bag will firmly pack the flour, resulting in too much flour required for this recipe.

DIRECTIONS

1. Process 1/2 cup of the butter, flour and sugar in a food processor or blender, until crumbly. Add egg yolk and water and process until dough begins to form. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth, then wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
2. Roll out pastry on a floured surface and place in a tart dish. Trim excess by rolling over top with a rolling pin. Heat oven to 400°F. Peel and slice pears, sprinkle with brown sugar, then sauté in remaining butter, in a skillet over medium-high heat until foaming and caramelized, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
3. Place pastry weights (or dry beans or rice) on crust and bake, on a baking sheet, for 10 minutes to prevent puffing. Remove weights and bake another 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.
4. Beat cream until just beginning to thicken. Beat in eggs, cinnamon and salt. Arrange pears in crust, tucking in pecans, brie cheese, and cranberries as well. Pour cream mixture over all. Bake 30 minutes or until just set. Cool for 5 minutes. Slice into wedges and serve. (Note from Joni: You can substitute apples for pears in any recipe calling for either one.)

Mini Pear Crisps

Cooking Light had a "Fire it Up" Grilling contest not long ago, and they selected my Mini Pear Crisps for a layout in their magazine.  Since we're all just going outside after winter and enjoying outdoor cooking again, I thought this would be the perfect time to share a unique grilled dessert.
Here are six great things about this recipe:
 
1. It's so easy kids can make it.
2. It can cook while you're enjoying the main dishes you just barbecued.
3. It's fun to do at a picnic or campout.
4. You can substitute apples for the pears (they can stand in for each other in any recipe, by the way)
5.  You have no dishes to wash afterwards.
 6. You can top it with ice cream, and that alone makes it a winner.
Scroll down for the photo...

MINI PEAR CRISPS
1 Cup oatmeal
1 Cup packed brown sugar
1/3 Cup flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 Cup cold butter
1/2 Cup chopped pecans
1/2 Cup raisins
8 pears, peeled and sliced
vanilla ice cream, optional

1. In a large bowl, stir the first five ingredients.  Cut in butter until crumbly.  Stir in pecans and raisins.
2. Divide sliced pears among 8 greased, disposable foil tart pans (about 4 inches wide). Sprinkle with oatmeal mixture.
3. Prepare grill for indirect heat.  Grill crisps, covered, over indirect medium heat for 15-20 minutes or until pears are tender.  Serve warm with ice cream, if desired.