• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
A Weekend Cook®
menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPES
  • ARTICLES
  • CONTACT
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • RECIPES
    • ARTICLES
    • CONTACT
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home ~ Recipes ~ Small Batch Desserts

    Easy Puff Pastry Pear Tart Recipe

    LAST UPDATED: Nov 7, 2020 · PUBLISHED: Nov 7, 2020 · BY: Sydney · Leave a Comment

    18 shares
    • Share
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Small tart topped with fresh baked pears.

    Did you receive fresh pears as a gift this year and wondering what to do with all those pears? A small-batch and easy puff pastry pear tart recipe for two can be whipped up in a jiffy. Divine cream cheese filling topped with fresh Harry & David Pears is the perfect little indulgence.

    An easy and elegant dessert without fuss.

    Ingredients Notes

    Puff Pastry - premade and frozen puff pastry from Pepperidge Farms makes this recipe extra easy. You will only need half of a sheet for the two tart pans. Making these pear tartlets with puff pastry is a great way to serve an easy and elegant dessert.

    Pears - make sure to use a fully ripe pear. One regular size is enough for these two tarts. My Harry and David pears are huge so I only needed half. The unused pear can be refrigerated and put in a salad or frozen for later use in another tart.

    If you don't have fresh, no worries, you can use canned, just rinse them first.

    Cream Cheese - You can use full-fat, reduced-fat, or Neufchâtel cheese. I've made quite a few cream cheese fillings and cheesecakes with Neufchatel without any baking issues or taste problems.

    Sugar - this is your basic white granulated sugar.

    Egg - small batch recipes sometimes only need a partial egg, so for something like the cream cheese filling, I use the white only and the yolk is refrigerated for the morning breakfast.

    Vanilla Extract - Use a pure vanilla extract or a vanilla paste.

    Cinnamon Sugar - I always have a shaker ready for Cinnamon toast and just sprinkle on a bit before baking. The ratio is 1:1 for the cinnamon and the sugar.

    Recipe FAQ's

    What's the difference between Neufchatel and Cream Cheese?

    The main difference is the fat content. Cream Cheese must contain at least 33% milkfat and not more than 55% moisture. Neufchatel has roughly 23% milk fat and slightly higher moisture content.
    Flavor-wise, no real difference to speak of except for Neufchatel has a slightly less rich flavor. Neufchatel and Cream Cheese are both slightly tangy, and spreadable cheeses, and both work great for baking this delightful pear tart. Unless you are a cream cheese connoisseur you can’t tell any difference in the taste.

    Tools Used

    • 4-inch tart pans with removable bottoms
    • Mini whisk
    • Small Bowl
    • Measuring cups and spoons

    Recipe Instructions

    (The recipe card at the bottom of the post has all the detailed instructions)

    One of the things I love about this tartlet recipe is that it's strictly manual, with no mixer or noise to worry about so I can easily make this at midnight! Sometimes I really want to cook late at night 🙂 Also, the filling mixes up in my small farmhouse cereal bowl

    • First, defrost the puff pastry per package instructions.
    • Next, lightly coat the tart pans with cooking spray then press the puff pastry lightly into the tart pans. Blind bake the crust per package instructions.
    this Recipe
    • With a fork poke a few holes in the bottom of the pastry. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes until it's golden brown.
    • While the pastry is baking mix together the filling ingredients. When making two tarts this farmhouse cereal bowl and my small whisk is a perfect size. If the cream cheese is at room temperature the blending is easy.
    • When the blind-baked puff pastry comes out of the oven it will be all puffed up. Take a fork and poke at it a little bit to deflate.

    Next, divide the filling evenly between the two tart pans. Top with sliced pears and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-18 minutes.

    This puff pastry is also great with my lemon meringue tart.

    More Puff Pastry Recipes

    • close up of puff pastry chocolate croissants on plate.
      30 Minute Puff Pastry Chocolate Croissants Recipe (pain au chocolate)
    • puff pastry cookies on baking sheet
      Easy Puff Pastry Cherry Turnovers Recipe
    • flakey apple strudel on baking sheet
      small batch easy apple strudel {apfelstrudel} recipe
    • Cherry Pie
      The Best Canned Cherry Pie Filling Recipe

    Did you make this recipe? I would love it if you left a comment or review! Be sure to sign up for the email list and follow "A Weekend Cook" on Pinterest and my Facebook page.

    puff pastry pear tart in individual tart pan

    Pear Cream Cheese Tart

    An elegant and easy dessert with creamy cream cheese filling and a delicate flaky crust.
    4.50 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 2 tarts
    Calories: 175kcal
    Author:Sydney Dawes

    Ingredients

    • ½ sheet puff pastry
    • 2 ounces cream cheese
    • 1 tablespoon sugar
    • 1 egg white
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 large pear sliced thin
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon sugar

    Instructions

    • Thaw the puff pastry per the package instructions.
    • Lightly coat two individual tart pans with cooking spray like BakeKlene.
    • Roll out the pastry and press into the tat pans. Place the tart pans on a baking sheet and Blind Bake the puff pastry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes. The pastry will be puffed and golden.
    • Remove pastry from the oven. Use a fork and push down the pastry to create space for the filling.
    • In a medium bowl mix together the cream cheese, sugar, egg white, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
    • Divide the filling evenly between the two tart pans.
    • Top with the sliced pears and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
    • Place the tart pans on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-18 minutes.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 175kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 135mg | Sugar: 8g

    If you enjoyed my pear tartlet recipe you might also like my lemon tartlets or a delicious Strawberry Custard tart with my biscotti crust.

    More Small Batch Desserts

    • Mason jar with chalkboard label and filled with sweetened condensed milk.
      How to Make Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk
    • Decorated brain cupcakes on small cutting board.
      How to Decorate Brain Cupcakes for Halloween
    • Brownies on parchment paper.
      Single Serving Brownie Recipe
    • Small mason jar of pear sauce.
      Easy Small Batch Pear Sauce Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Thanks for coming! Let me know what you think or share a tip. Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Cooking scrumptious small batch recipes for one and sometimes for two are created in my small 1960’s kitchen. I learned to cook Shepherds Pie in England and Classic Marinara while living in Italy. Born in Southern California and raised in the Midwest, my cooking represents the best of both regions with an added touch of Southern hospitality.

    More about me →

    Looking for stew recipes? This is the place for all-season recipes! Stews aren't just a cold-weather dish.


    popular post

    • 1 pound meatloaf in small white baking dish.
      Simple 1-Pound Mom's Meatloaf Recipe
    • Serving of cottage pie with salad, wine and flowers in background.
      Individual Cottage Pie Recipe
    • Succulent Rib Roast and potatoes in a dutch oven
      Dutch Oven Boneless Rib Roast Recipe
    • bowl of tempura dipping sauce
      Easy Tempura Dipping Sauce Recipe
    • bowl of beef stew with peas, carrots, and potatoes with bread in background.
      Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe for One
    • Stuffed green bellpepper with rice and salad on white plate.
      Single Serving Stuffed Bell Pepper Recipe

    Best Food Podcasts

    The Splendid Table

    Stir the Pot

    The Crumb - Bake From Scratch

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Disclosures

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Statement
    • Accessibility Policy

    Contact

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Contact A Weekend Cook

    Browse

    • Recipes
    • About
    • Web Stories

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 A Weekend Cook, LLC