The subtle nutty flavour of the delicious crust adds a certain something to this tangy and colourful tart.
- Assemble the ingredients
- Prepare the crust
- Prepare the filling
- Spoon the filling into the par-baked crust
- Top with Streusel mixture

Cranberry Pear Tart with Walnut Shortbread Crust
The toasted walnuts in the cranberry crust provide a lovely nutty counterpoint to the tart cranberry and pear filling and the sweet streusel topping.
- Total Time: 90
Ingredients
Scale
For the crust
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 6 3/4 oz (1 1/2 c) unbleached, all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 4 oz unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 c walnuts toasted
For the cranberry pear filling
- 3 large ripe pears, such as Anjou or Bartlett
- 2 c fresh cranberries, picked through and rinsed
- 1 tbsp. brandy
- 2/3 c granulated sugar
- 2 tsp unbleached, all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground allspice
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
For the buttery, brown sugar streusel topping
- 1 3/4 oz (1/3 cup plus 1 tbsp) unbleached, all-purpose flour
- 1/4 c packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1 oz unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
Make the crust
- Position a rack near the center of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F or 375°F convection. In a small bowl, mix the egg yolk, milk, and vanilla. Put the walnuts in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Remove to a medium sized bowl. Add the flour, sugar, and salt and stir until thoroughly combined. Add the melted butter and the yolk mixture. Stir well, then using your hands, mix until thoroughly combined. The dough will be a mealy, crumbly mass.
- Pour the crumb mixture into a 9-1/2-inch round fluted tart pan with a removable bottom. Starting with the sides of the pan, firmly press the crumbs against the pan to create a crust about 1/4 inch thick. Press the remaining crumbs evenly against the bottom of the pan. Freeze for 10 minutes. Place on a rack inside a baking sheet and bake until the sides just begin to darken and the bottom is set, about 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F or 325°Convection.
Make the filling
- Peel the pears, quarter them lengthwise, core, and cut crosswise into 1/4″ slices.
- In a food processor, coarsely chop the cranberries. In a medium bowl, mix the pears, cranberries, and brandy. In a small bowl, mix the sugar, flour, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and salt; add to the cranberry-pear mixture, tossing to combine. Spoon the filling into the partly baked crust, levelling the filling and packing it down slightly with the back of a spoon.
Make the streusel and bake
- In a small bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, and salt. Add the melted butter and vanilla. Combine with your fingers until the mixture begins to clump together in small pieces when pressed. Sprinkle the streusel over the filling, breaking it into smaller pieces if necessary.
- Bake at 350°F or 325°F convection until the fruit is tender when pierced with a fork and the streusel and the edges of the crust are golden brown (about an hour). If the tart begins to get overly brown at the edges, cover with foil. Let the tart cool on a rack until it’s just barely warm before serving.
Notes
- This is delicious served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The tart will keep for 2-3 days.
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 60
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
I’m sharing this post with Between Naps on the Porch.
This looks amazing and have the fruit and walnuts on hand. Can’t wait to try this.
Enjoy! It’s really good – not too sweet.