Cottage Cheese Pear and Walnut Pie
Ingredients for a Delectable Dessert:
- Butter: 125g, for a tender crust
- Cottage Cheese: 100g, adding a delicate texture
- Sugar: 100g, for sweetness
- Vanilla Sugar: a pinch, for aromatic flair
- Baking Powder: 1 tsp, for lift
- Flour: 250g, possibly more or less, to achieve the perfect dough consistency
- Pears: 12 small, for a fruity surprise
- Walnuts: 100g, for a nutty crunch (feel free to substitute with dried fruits or other nuts, or even pieces of dark chocolate)
- Cinnamon: 1 tsp, for spiced warmth
- Egg Yolk: 1, for a glossy finish
- Egg: 1, to enrich the dough
Method for a Sweet Indulgence:
- Dough Crafting: Blend the soft butter, cottage cheese, sugar, vanilla sugar, and egg to uniformity, either with a mixer or by hand.
- Forming the Dough: Gradually incorporate the flour mixed with baking powder into the creamy mixture to form a soft, elastic dough. Wrap in cling film and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
- Pear Preparation: Peel the pears and remove the cores, creating a cavity for the filling.
- Assemble the Base: Roll out one portion of the chilled dough and lay it in a buttered, floured baking form, pricking it with a fork to prevent air pockets.
- Fruit Arrangement: Place the pears onto the dough base, hole up, and fill each cavity with chopped walnuts, then dust with cinnamon.
- Top Layer and Glaze: Roll out the second portion of dough, drape it over the pears, and brush with the egg yolk for a golden crust.
- Baking Perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 35 minutes until the pie is golden and the pears are tender.
- Serving with Elegance: Let the pie cool before unmolding. Dust with powdered sugar if desired. This pie offers a complete pear in each slice, revealing a heart of walnut inside!
Enjoy this enchanting combination of creamy cheese, tender pears, and crunchy walnuts, all wrapped in a soft, sweet pastry that’s sure to become a favorite at any gathering or a cozy night in.
