Knife And Fork S Pear And Chocolate Dessert Recipes

CHOCOLATE PEAR UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• To prepare the pears, cut the pears into 1/8 to 1/4-inch slices. Melt the butter in a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and salt and cook until melted, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat, add the vanilla and stir to combine.
• Decoratively place the pear slices onto the caramel, overlapping them as you do, and starting with a circle of pears in the center, fanning them out as you go. Though, really, however you place them will be both pretty and delish.
• To make the cake, add the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt to a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
• Combine the milk, oil, egg, yolk and vanilla in large glass measuring cup and whisk to combine. Pour over the dry ingredients and fold with a flexible spatula until smooth.
• Add the espresso powder and boiling water to the measuring cup, no need to wash it, whisk until incorporated and pour the mixture into the mixing bowl, whisking a final time.
• Pour the batter over the pears in the prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, rotating at the halfway point. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with a moist crumb or two.
• Immediately run a paring knife around the edge of the skillet. Let sit for 5 minutes, then carefully invert the cake onto a serving platter.
• Let cool until the caramel sets a bit, about 20 minutes, or cool to room temperature. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
• The cake will keep wrapped in plastic on the counter for up to 3 days, but it is best the day it is made.

ORCHARD PEAR PIE

Steps:

• On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle; transfer to a 9-in. pie plate. Trim to 1/2 in. beyond rim of plate; flute edge. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 400°., In a small bowl, whisk egg, sour cream, sugar, flour, yogurt, vanilla and salt. Gently stir in pears. Pour into crust. Bake 15 minutes., Meanwhile, for topping, in a small bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, pecans and cardamom. Cut in butter until crumbly; sprinkle over pie. , Bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean and topping is golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Cover edge loosely with foil during the last 15 minutes if needed to prevent overbrowning. Remove foil. Cool completely on a wire rack. Store in the refrigerator.

MAPLE-PEAR SHEET TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a 13x18-inch baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon water.
• If using a 14-ounce puff pastry package, roll the sheet to a 13-x18-inch rectangle on a floured surface. If using a 17-ounce puff pastry package, roll each sheet to a 9 1/2-x13-inch rectangle. Line up the two longer sides and overlap by 1 inch to form a 13-x18-inch rectangle. Brush egg wash in between to form a seam. Use a rolling pin to seal the seam.
• Transfer the pastry to the parchment. Fold sides of pastry towards center to form a 1/2-inch border on all four sides. Lightly score the border by using a paring knife to make small shallow diagonal cuts. Prick the surface of the pastry inside the border with a fork. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Slice the pears in half lengthwise, and then cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick slices. Trim the seeds and core and toss the slices in the sugar. Arrange on the pastry and brush all exposed pastry (including the borders) with the egg wash.
• Bake until the crust is puffed and golden brown, 45 to 50 minutes. Brush the fruit and pastry with the maple syrup. Let cool completely, and then slice into squares to serve.