This rustic fresh cranberry pear galette is a beautiful fall dessert, with an easy rustic foolproof crust that anyone can make.
When fresh cranberries make it to the stores and I can't wait to make something with them. This one is a rustic cranberry pear galette because both are in season and when you make a galette the crust is very forgiving and it also shows off the beautiful filling.
Fresh cranberries work well in baking an often you don't need to add extra sugar. For example, I've used them in a cranberry shortbread cookie when many are using dried cranberries with added sugar. However, the fresh cranberries look better and taste just as great.
Cranberry Pear Galette
Galette vs Pie
I chose to make a galette instead of a pie for a couple of reasons. For one, You need less crust for a galette, unless you are making a bottom only pie. Also, you don't have to worry about lifting the crust into a pie pan and working with the edges in some kind of fancy crimping style. You simply just fold it over some of the filling. The last reason I like to make a galette is that the beautiful fruit filling shows in the middle making a gorgeous looking dessert.
A Healthier Dessert
This is a dessert however, less pie crust means fewer calories, and using fresh cranberries instead of sugar-laden dried cranberries helps too.
Also, like any pie type dessert, I did add some sugar to make the fruit filling but no cornstarch, or other ingredients. I also left the skin on the pears. It added a nice color and since they were fresh the skin was thin and tasty.
A little egg wash made with one egg and a teaspoon of cream made this crust golden brown. I also added a sprinkle of sugar on top for added sparkle.
TIP: One reader asked what she could substitute for the cranberries. I suggested raspberries. However, she had frozen rhubarb on hand so she tried it. She used it in its raw form in 1/2 inch pieces and said it turned out great.
The final touch was a small heart made from some of the dough, placed in the center of the pie.
More Great Cranberry Desserts
Cranberry Pear Galette
This cranberry pear galette is beautiful fall dessert, with an easy rustic foolproof crust that anyone can make.
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 1/4 cups flour
- 2 sticks butter (1 cup) cut up into small pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- ice water (about 1/2 cup)
Filling
- 3-4 fresh pears cored and sliced, bosc or anjou
- 11/2 cup fresh cranberries (approx. 6 oz)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
egg wash
- 1 egg slightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon heavy cream (can substitute milk)
Instructions
- Make the crust by mixing the flour, salt and sugar in a food processor.
- Add butter and pulse
- Add ice water as the processor is mixing until the dough just comes together.
- Remove form into a flat ball, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Meanwhile toss the cranberries, pear slices, cinnamon and sugar in a large bowl.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- After the dough has been refrigerated for one hour remove and roll out into a 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick circle or something close to a circle.
- Place the dough on a baking sheet and then pile up the filing in the middle of the dough.
- Then fold over the outside edges, about 2 inches.
- Brush with the egg wash and bake for about 1 hour at 350 degrees.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 182Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 97mgCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 4gSugar: 16gProtein: 3g
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
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martha
I can't find fresh cranberries right now. Pears are everywhere! What can be substituted for cranberries?
Patti Estep
Martha, cranberries should be in the market soon but I think red raspberries might be a good substitution. If you try it let me know how it goes.
Denise
That is such a pretty dessert!
Jenna
Gorgeous! I love how rustic galettes are and I’m into the combo of pear instead of apple with cranberries. Yum!
Patti Estep
Hi Jenna,
Thanks for your kind comment. This combo worked out great for taste as well and beauty.
Melissa Griffiths
This is gorgeous! I love cranberry season - so bright and tasty!
Patti Estep
Hi Melissa,
I agree. You will find several cranberry recipes on this blog. Maybe it's because they come around once a year but I always enjoy cooking with them.
Carole West, Garden Up Green
This is beautiful and I bet it taste wonderful. Pear, cranberries and cinnamon.... wonderful combination. I recently got this nuwave oven thing to make life easier and I love it so I may try this because it looks easy.. I like easy! I did get me a small crock and love it. Hugs and Hope you have a great weekend Patti, you always inspire me 🙂
Patti Estep
Thanks Carole. I like easy too and your nuwave oven and little crock sound perfect for you and Robert.
Hugs right back at ya!