Birnen im Teig (Pear in Pastry)

Ingredients

• 4 ripe pears 4 ripe pears
• 1 cup (100g) ground almonds 1 cup (100g) ground almonds
• 1/4 cup (50g) sugar 1/4 cup (50g) sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 2 tablespoons sugar (for pastry) 2 tablespoons sugar (for pastry)
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat: 18g (Saturated Fat: 9g)
• Carbohydrates: 44g (Sugars: 18g)
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact. Cut a small slice from the bottom of each pear to create a stable base.
3. 3.
   In a bowl, combine the ground almonds, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix well.
4. 4.
   Carefully core the pears, creating a cavity for the filling. Be sure not to cut through the bottom.
5. 5.
   Stuff each pear with the almond filling, pressing it gently to ensure it fills the cavity evenly.
6. 6.
   In a separate bowl, combine the flour and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Add the cold cubed butter and rub it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
7. 7.
   Gather the dough and knead it lightly until it comes together. Divide the dough into four equal portions.
8. 8.
   Roll out each portion of dough into a circle large enough to wrap around a pear.
9. 9.
   Place a stuffed pear in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough up and around the pear, sealing it at the top.
10. 10.
    Transfer the wrapped pears to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
11. 11.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the pastry turns golden brown and the pears are tender.
12. 12.
    Remove from the oven and let the pears cool slightly before serving.
13. 13.
    Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Almonds — Make sure to use ground almonds for the filling to achieve the desired texture. If you can't find ground almonds, you can grind whole almonds in a food processor until finely ground.
• Pears — Choose ripe but firm pears for this recipe. They should be sweet and juicy, but not overly soft.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of flavor, you can add a splash of vanilla extract to the almond filling.
• Serve Birnen im Teig with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent treat.
• If you prefer a sweeter pastry, you can sprinkle some additional sugar on top of the wrapped pears before baking.
• Feel free to experiment with different spices in the filling, such as cardamom or ginger, to add your own twist to the recipe.
• Leftover Birnen im Teig can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven before serving.

Serving advice

Serve Birnen im Teig warm as a delightful dessert. It pairs well with a cup of hot tea or coffee.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, dust the baked pears with powdered sugar just before serving. You can also garnish the plate with a sprig of fresh mint for a pop of color.