Chocolate Pear Galette is a perfect balance of rich, indulgent chocolate and the natural sweetness of ripe pears. This rustic, free-form pastry is easy to make and looks as beautiful as it tastes. With its flaky crust, silky chocolate filling, and tender pear slices, it’s the kind of dessert that feels both comforting and special.
The galette itself is wonderfully simple to prepare. You don’t need any fancy equipment or intricate techniques, which makes it a great option for beginner bakers or those looking for a stress-free dessert. The dough can be store-bought or homemade, but either way, it’s the perfect base for this flavor combination. The rustic look of a galette, with its crimped edges and slightly uneven shape, gives it a warm, homemade charm.
For the filling, the richness of melted dark chocolate pairs wonderfully with the mild sweetness of pears. You can use any variety of pears, but Bartlett or Bosc work particularly well due to their sweetness and firm texture. The pears are sliced thinly and layered on top of the chocolate filling, which melts into a smooth, velvety layer as it bakes. As the galette bakes, the pears soften and caramelize, creating a tender, juicy contrast to the crisp, golden crust.
This dessert is highly adaptable. For a twist, sprinkle in a little cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla extract to complement the pears. A handful of chopped nuts, such as walnuts or hazelnuts, would also add a nice crunch. If you want to go the extra mile, drizzle some extra melted chocolate on top or dust the galette with powdered sugar for a finishing touch.
Chocolate Pear Galette is an elegant dessert that feels indulgent but is incredibly easy to make. Perfect for any occasion, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder Dutch-process
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter cold and cut into small pieces
- 3 tbsp ice water
- 3 pears medium, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tbsp almond meal or ground almonds
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 egg beaten (for egg wash)
- powdered sugar dusting
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and salt.
- Add the cold butter to the bowl and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Drizzle the ice water over the mixture and gently mix until the dough comes together. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, combine the almond meal, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a 2-inch border.
- Arrange the pear slices in an overlapping pattern over the almond mixture. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the pears.
- Fold the edges of the dough over the filling, pleating as necessary. Brush the edges of the dough with the beaten egg wash.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the pears are tender.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.