Apple Pear Gratin

Yum!  Dessert!  When we go out for dinner I’m always tempted to get desserts. I love sweets but I don’t like when restaurants only offer heavy desserts. After a nice meal, I don’t like to feel further weighted down. I’d rather have something light and satisfying like oh … creme brulee, flan, or Apple Pear Gratin!

A sweet mix of pears and apples are embedded into a light and flaky custard. It’s the perfect touch to end a meal. Not too heavy, it almost melts in your mouth!

You start this easy recipe by making the custard. It does take a bit of whipping … be patient! The apple and pear slices will start to sink into the custard when you lay them on top of the batter.

You’ll bake it until the top is golden brown and rustic looking. It doesn’t look so impressive right out of the oven, but you can garnish it with slices of apple or pear … or sprinkle the top with a bit of cinnamon or nutmeg.

Here you can see the slices of apples and pears embedded in the custard. I love this dessert!  You can prepare it and then pop it in the oven while you’re eating dinner. The Apple Pear Gratin will be ready to serve warm when dinner is over. Serve with a fruit slice or plop of whipped cream.

Apple Pear Gratin

Pat of butter for baking dish
3 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
⅔ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon rum
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ cup heavy (whipping) cream
1 red apple
1 ripe pear

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter sides and bottom of round 9-inch baking dish that’s at least 2 inches deep.

Beat eggs and sugar at high speed in mixing bowl until pale yellow ribbons form. Mix in the rum and vanilla. Add flour and mix well. Set aside. In separate bowl, whip heavy cream until firm peaks form. Carefully fold whipping cream into the egg mixture with a rubber spatula. Pour batter into buttered dish.

Peel and core apple and pear and slice thinly, crosswise into half moons. Arrange over the batter in the dish, alternating the pear and apple slices. The fruit may start to sink into the dough; the fruit will be embedded inside the custard when baking. Place dish in preheated oven and bake approximately 35 minutes or until top is golden brown. Serve warm or chilled.