Pear-Caramel Tartlet Delight

A delightful single-serving tartlet with caramelized pears atop flaky puff pastry, kissed with cinnamon.

⏱️ Cooking Time: 30 minutes | 🍽️ Servings: 1

Instructions

1. 1.
   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Start by preparing the pear slices: peel, core, and slice the pear thinly to ensure even cooking. This will allow the pear to caramelize beautifully alongside the sugar and butter, creating a rich, sweet tartlet.
2. 2.
   In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Once it begins to bubble, add the brown sugar and stir continuously. You want the mixture to become smooth and syrupy. As it cooks, it will turn a light caramel color. If the mixture appears too thick, add a splash of water to loosen it up.
3. 3.
   Lay the puff pastry sheet on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Gently score a border around the edges, about 1/2 inch from the sides, without cutting all the way through. This will help the edges puff up while keeping the center thin and crisp when baking.
4. 4.
   Arrange the pear slices neatly inside the border, slightly overlapping them for an attractive look. Drizzle the caramel sauce over the top, ensuring each slice is covered. This step is crucial as it helps the pears to soften and absorb the rich caramel flavor during baking.
5. 5.
   Sprinkle ground cinnamon evenly over the pears for added warmth and aroma. Place the tartlet in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the pears have a slight caramelized sheen. If the edges brown too quickly, reduce the oven temperature to 375°F.
6. 6.
   Once baked, let it cool for a few minutes. The tartlet can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature. For added indulgence, serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If the pears release too much juice during baking, carefully dab excess liquid with a paper towel.