This Pear Goat Cheese Galette is gorgeous, flavorful, and a savory free-form tart that makes a delightful appetizer or dessert. The combination of goat cheese and a touch of cardamom in the filling is spread onto a buttery pastry crust, then topped with a layer of thinly sliced sweet pear and finished with a sprinkle of chopped walnuts.
The galette has a beautiful, rustic look, with the edges simply folded over—no need for fancy crimping. It’s then brushed with an egg mixture and sprinkled with sesame seeds for an extra touch of flavor. Drizzle with golden honey for a sweet and savory treat that’s perfect for late summer and early fall. It’s a perfect balance of sweet and savory!
Whether as an appetizer or a light dessert, this galette is sure to impress at any gathering!
SERVING PEAR GOAT CHEESE GALETTE
This Pear Goat Cheese Galette is super easy, elegant, and perfect for any time of day! It’s great as a tasty appetizer or a light, not-too-sweet dessert. After baking, let it cool for a few minutes, then slice it into wedges. You can enjoy it warm or at room temperature, making it perfect for any occasion. It’s absolutely delicious paired with a glass of crisp white wine or sparkling rosé! It goes wonderfully with a dollop of sweet whipped cream or some homemade No Churn Pistachio Ice Cream.
Take a look at some of the other buttery desserts you can make! One of my favourites is Blueberry Tart. The sweet blueberry filling, crunchy almonds, and that perfect flaky, buttery crust come together in a way that’s absolutely irresistible!
Kolaczki Polish Cookies are little bites of joy! Made with a rich, tender dough of cream cheese and butter, then filled with sweet jam, they’re just as beautiful as they are irresistibly tasty.
WHAT IS A GALETTE?
A galette is the French name for a type of free-form, rustic pastry. It is usually round and made with a flaky, buttery crust that is placed directly on a baking sheet. The dough is folded over the edges to encase the filling, leaving the center exposed. Galettes can be sweet or savory and are often filled with fruits, vegetables, cheese, or a variety of ingredients.
Galettes are often easier to make because they don’t require a special pan or any crimping of the dough, making them perfect for both beginners and experienced bakers.
INGREDIENT FOR PEAR GOAT CHEESE GALETTE
- Pears – You’ll need one large pear or two smaller pears for this galette. Bosc pears, Bartlett Pears or Anjou pears all work great.
- Flour – This recipe uses all-purpose flour for a flaky crust.
- Butter – Unsalted, for a rich flavor and flaky texture.
- Greek Yogurt – Adds moisture and tenderness to the dough.
Substitute: Plain yogurt or sour cream. - Water – Cold water binds the dough and keeps it flaky.
- Sea Salt – Enhances the flavor of the dough.
- Goat Cheese – Adds a creamy, tangy flavor that complements the pears and walnuts.
Substitute: If you don’t care for goat cheese, you can easily substitute another cheese: cream cheese, cheddar, or Emmental grated by hand, would all be delicious alternatives. - Cardamom – Adds a warm, aromatic flavor to the filling.
Substitute: Nutmeg (for a different flavor profile). - Walnuts – You can swap the walnuts out for pecans or pistachios.
- Milk, egg yolk – Brushed on the crust give it a nice shine and help adhere the sesame seeds.
- Sesame seeds – Adds a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the crust.
Substitute: Poppy seeds or flaxseeds. - Natural Organic Honey – Adds sweetness and a touch of floral flavor.
Substitute: Maple syrup.
Recipe Tip: Add shredded Gruyère cheese (about 1/4 cup) for a rich, nutty flavor that melts beautifully and complements the creamy goat cheese base. It pairs especially well with the warm spice of cardamom.
MAKE PEAR GOAT CHEESE GALETTE
- With just a few simple ingredients, this galette dough comes together easily. First, make the buttery pastry dough by combining flour, salt, butter, yogurt, and cold water to form a dough.
2. Transfer it to a lightly floured work surface and knead it 2 or 3 times, just until it comes together. Then, shape it into a disk, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together goat cheese and cardamom until smooth.
4. Once the dough has chilled, roll it out into a rough circle.
5. Spread a creamy mixture of goat cheese and cardamom onto the dough.
6. Next, layer thinly sliced sweet pears on top of the cheese filling. Fold the edges of the dough over the pears to create a rustic crust, and don’t worry about making it perfect—rustic is the vibe! Brush the dough with an egg yolk and milk mixture, and sprinkle the crust with sesame seeds.
7. Bake until the crust is golden and flaky, then let it cool for a few minutes. Remove to a serving platter, drizzle with honey. Cut it into wedges and enjoy, warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
MORE RECIPES TO TRY:
- Baked Pears with Goat Cheese
- Polish Chrusciki Angle Wings
- Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
- Lemon Crinkle Cookies
- Rhubarb Walnut Coffee Cake
- Spinach and Goat Cheese Phyllo Triangles
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Happy baking! -A
* Nutritional information is automatically generated and should be considered as an estimate.
PEAR GOAT CHEESE GALETTE
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Dough cutter
- Rolling Pin
- Pastry brush
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 150 g all-purchased flour
- 100 g cold, unsalted butter cut in cubes
- 50 g plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- Garnish: Honey
For the filling:
- 100 g fresh goat cheese room temperature
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 firm large Bosc pear (cored and sliced lengthwise, you may need 2 pears if small)
- 30 g chopped walnuts
- 1 egg yolk (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon milk (for egg wash)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (for sprinkling on the crust)
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix the sifted flour and salt. Add the butter, and using a pastry cutter or fork, cut it in until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, about one minute. Then, add the yogurt and cold water, and toss with a fork or your hands until the dough comes together.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead it 2 or 3 times, just until it comes together. Then, shape it into a disk. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
- When you’re ready to assemble the galette, preheat the oven to 390°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Lightly dust your work surface with flour and roll the dough into a 14-inch circle, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Gently roll the dough onto the rolling pin and transfer it to the center of the prepared baking sheet.
Filling and assembly:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together goat cheese and cardamom until smooth. Use immediately, or refrigerate until ready to use.
- Spread the goat cheese-cardamom mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a 2-inch border around the edges.
- Cut the pear in half vertically, through the stem. Scoop out the core of each half. Place the pear cut side down and slice it into thin slices.Arrange the slices decoratively on top of the cheese filling, overlapping as needed. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts on top.
- Fold the dough edges over the pears to form a rustic crust, pleating and pressing the dough to secure, leaving the center of the galette open.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and 1 teaspoon of milk. Brush the galette crust with the egg yolk and milk mixture (this will produce a shinier, more golden crust), then sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Bake the galette until the crust is golden and the bottom is browned, about 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes.Remove to a serving platter, drizzle with honey. Cut into wedges and serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!