Pear and Gruyère Tart with Thyme
A savory tart featuring sweet pears, melted Gruyère cheese, and fresh thyme in a flaky crust. This belgian-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 60 minutes layers sheet, thawed puff pastry, thinly sliced pear, ounces, thinly sliced Gruyère cheese into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet, thawed puff pastry
- 2, thinly sliced pear
- 4 ounces, thinly sliced Gruyère cheese
- 1 tablespoon, leaves only fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon, melted butter
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped onion
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface to a 12x9-inch rectangle. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and prick the surface with a fork.
- Step 2: In a small skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup finely chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir in 2 tablespoons heavy cream, 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, then simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
- Step 3: Spread the onion cream mixture evenly over the pastry, leaving a 1-inch border. Arrange the sliced pears in a single layer over the sauce, then top with the thinly sliced Gruyère cheese. Sprinkle with additional thyme.
- Step 4: Fold the edges of the pastry over the filling to form a raised crust. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pear and Gruyère Tart with Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (30 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Pear and Gruyère Tart with Thyme?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pear and Gruyère Tart with Thyme?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Pear and Gruyère Tart with Thyme for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Pear and Gruyère Tart with Thyme vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
