French Almond Pear Gratin (Gluten Recipe

I have always been passionate about innovative twists on classic desserts. In this recipe, I combine firm pears accented with lemon juice, unsalted butter, and finely ground almond meal with toasted almonds and rich heavy cream. This French Almond Pear Gratin exemplifies Gluten Free Pear Recipes with an unexpected flair.

I recently tried out this French Almond Pear Gratin and it quickly became one of my favorite recipes. I started with four firm Bosc pears that I peeled, cored and quartered.

Then I tossed the pears with a tablespoon of lemon juice and melted unsalted butter to coat them just right before adding in some granulated sugar for that hint of caramel. I mixed in the almond meal with lightly toasted sliced almonds, a half teaspoon of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to give the dessert a rich, nutty flavor.

To bring everything together, I stirred in a half cup of heavy cream. Every step of this gluten free pear recipe reminded me of classic French baked goods with a modern twist.

It’s simple but full of flavor and sure to catch the eye of anyone who loves sweet recipes with a pear almond twist. Enjoy experimenting with it in your kitchen!

Why I Like this Recipe

I’ve always been drawn to this recipe because it just feels comforting and special to me. First off, I love how the pears come out super soft and sweet, almost like they’ve melted into this creamy, warm dessert. The mix of crunchy toasted almonds with the smooth, baked pears gives the dish this great textural contrast that makes every bite fun. I also really dig how simple it is to make—even though it sounds fancy, it doesn’t take hours or a ton of complicated steps, so it’s my go-to when I want something tasty without too much hassle. Lastly, the whole blend of fruity, nutty, and creamy flavors just works so well together that it reminds me of cozy family dinners, which always makes my heart a little warmer.

Ingredients

• Pears: They provide fiber and natural sweetness, plus a soft juicy texture.
• Lemon Juice: Adds a tangy note to balance the sweetness and stops browning.
• Butter: Gives a rich and creamy flavor that makes everything taste bolder.
• Sugar: Boosts sweetness and helps develop a slightly caramelized, crunchy top.
• Almond Meal: Offers protein, healthy fats and a lovely nutty taste overall.
• Sliced Almonds: They add a satisfying crunch while upping the nutty flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Provides a smooth, velvety richness, though it’s pretty high in fat.

Ingredient Quantities

• 4 firm pears (like Bosc), peeled, cored and quartered
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (plus a bit more for greasing your dish)
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar, divided (reserve a couple of tablespoons for the topping)
• 1/2 cup almond meal (finely ground almonds)
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• A pinch of salt

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease your baking dish well with a little extra butter.

2. Toss the quartered pears in a bowl with the lemon juice to keep them from browning.

3. Arrange the pears evenly in your greased dish.

4. In another bowl, mix together about 1/3 cup of granulated sugar (set aside a couple tablespoons for later), the almond meal, vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.

5. Stir in the 2 tablespoons of melted butter into the almond mixture until it’s well combined.

6. Pour the almond mixture evenly over the pears in the dish.

7. Sprinkle the reserved granulated sugar and the toasted sliced almonds on top for that extra crunch and sweetness.

8. Drizzle the heavy cream evenly over the whole dish.

9. Bake in the oven for about 35-40 minutes until the pears are soft and the topping is nicely golden.

10. Let the gratin cool for a few minutes before serving and enjoy your delicious French Almond Pear Gratin!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven – used for baking the dish at 375°F
2. Baking dish – needed to arrange the pears and hold the almond mixture
3. Mixing bowl #1 – for tossing the pears with lemon juice
4. Mixing bowl #2 – to combine the granulated sugar, almond meal, vanilla, salt and melted butter
5. Measuring cups and spoons – to accurately measure ingredients like sugar, butter, and heavy cream
6. Stirring utensil – a spoon or spatula for mixing the almond topping
7. Knife and cutting board – for quartering the pears
8. Pastry brush or extra butter – used to grease the baking dish thoroughly

FAQ

French Almond Pear Gratin (Gluten Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you dont have lemon juice, you can use apple cider vinegar instead. Just use about three-fourths of the amount.
• If unsalted butter is unavailable, try using a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil although it might add a slight coconut taste.
• For almond meal, finely ground walnuts can work as a replacement, though the flavor might change a bit.
• If you cant find heavy cream, full-fat coconut milk is a good alternative but expect a mild coconut flavor.
• You can swap granulated sugar with a bit of brown sugar for your topping to add a richer, caramel-like taste.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you really grease your baking dish good so that nothing sticks and cleanup isnt a pain later.
2. When toasting the sliced almonds, keep a close eye on them because they can burn fast and then you’ll end up with a bitter taste.
3. Check the pears with a fork a few minutes before the suggested time is up since every oven is different and you dont want them turning mushy.
4. Let the dish cool a bit once its out of the oven so the cream thickens up a little and makes serving easier.