Butterscotch Pear and Pecan Dumplings

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Hi Bold Bakers!

Apples get all the attention around the fall and winter, but we are seriously overlooking another in-season fruit that demands to be put into more desserts. I’m talking about pears — specifically beautiful Butterscotch Pears!

My Butterscotch Pear and Pecan Dumpling recipe is a perfect way to compliment the sweet, crisp pear. The pear is wrapped with a flaky, buttery pâte brisée pastry (sounds fancy, but it’s just the French version of a pie crust), filled with a warm, nutty, crunchy filling of toasted pecans. The dumpling itself isn’t too sweet, so I top it with my salted caramel sauce, which I think goes perfectly! 

Plus, this recipe is special — Bigger Bolder Baking has partnered with Melissa’s Produce to create three brand new recipes using some of their best in-season offerings for their Family Baking Challenge — where over $5000 in prizes will be awarded! To enter and get all the information you need, sign up right here.  Check out the other two recipes, Winter Crunch Grape & Almond Cakes, and Sweet Pumpkin Persimmon and Ginger Creme Brûlée, too!

The dumplings look so adorable, and the Butterscotch pear bakes down into something amazingly soft and sweet. The flavors and textures together are amazing and feel so decadent! 

What Are Butterscotch Pears?

Butterscotch Pears are imported directly from South Korea to Melissa’s Produce, where they’re a super popular fruit — and for good reason. They’re juicy, crisp, and sweet, with the texture more like an apple than your typical pear. The skin is super thin too, so every bite just tastes like pure pear. Butterscotch Pears also have a very tiny core, so they stay juicier than other varieties. 

On top of their taste, it’s almost shocking how perfect they look! While these pears are still on the tree, they’re hand-wrapped in a paper that protects them from weather and sunburn. 

What Are Pear And Pecan Dumplings?

Butterscotch pear and pecan dumplings are a fancy looking dessert that won’t take all day to make! 

Essentially, it is a pear that is stuffed with a delicious pecan filling and wrapped in a homemade pâte brisée. It’s like a tiny super fruity pie all for yourself!

What You Need To Make Butterscotch Pear And Pecan Dumplings

• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Mixing bowls
• Plastic wrap
• Melon baller or small spoon
• Baking sheet
• Butterscotch Pears

How To Make Butterscotch Pear And Pecan Dumplings

I love this recipe. It doesn’t take much to come together, and it always impresses! Here is how you make it (and don’t forget to get the full recipe with measurements on the page down below):

1. To make the pâte brisée, combine the all-purpose flour and salt in a bowl. 
2. Cut in the butter until the mixture looks like coarse breadcrumbs. 
3. Stir in 6 tablespoons of ice water and press together to form a dough. If your mixture is too dry and crumbly, add a bit more water, a teaspoon at a time, until it holds together.
4. Shape your dough into a flat disk and wrap it in plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
5. Once the dough is properly chilled, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

How to assemble the dumplings:

1. To make the filling, combine the pecans, brown sugar, and butter in a small bowl.
2. Using a melon baller or a small spoon, scoop out the core of each half of the Butterscotch Pears, making a tablespoon-sized hole.
3. Firmly pack the holes with the pecan mixture.
4. Divide the pâte brisée into 6 equal pieces. On a floured surface, roll each piece into a 1/8-inch (3mm) circle.
5. Place a pear half, with the cut-side up, in the center of one of the pastry circles.
6. Wrap the pear up in the pastry, overlapping and pressing to seal the openings. Cut off any extra pastry and set it aside to re-roll for your decorations.
7. Place the pastry-wrapped pear, seam side down, on the prepped baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining pears.
8. Gather your pastry scraps, re-roll, and cut out decorative leaves. Attach the pastry leaves onto one end of the pears with a little bit of egg wash.
9. Brush the pastry all over with the egg wash and sprinkle with granulated sugar.
10. Bake the pears in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown. 
11. Serve warm with a drizzle of Salted Caramel Sauce.

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips For Making Butterscotch Pear And Pecan Dumplings

• My Salted Caramel Sauce really rounds this recipe out – don’t skip it!
• If you don’t have or don’t like pecans, you can use other nuts like walnuts or almonds. 
• Make double the filling and use it as a garnish on top of the caramel while serving! 
• A melon baller makes easy work out of coring the pear and creating the cavity for your filling – definitely use this if you have one!
• You can serve this with homemade whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, too! 

How Do I Store Leftover Butterscotch Pear And Pecan Dumplings?

Pear dumplings are best when they’re served warm the day they are made, but if you have leftovers, keep them at room temperature, loosely covered, for up to one day. Reheat in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 15 minutes before serving.

Don’t forget! To enter and get all the information you need for the Melissa’s Produce Family Baking Challenge, and a shot at over $5000 in prizes awarded, sign up right here!

Make More Pear Recipes!

• Pear & Dark Chocolate Crisp
• Elegant Poached Pears
• Pear & Prosciutto Pizza

Full (and printable) recipe below!

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