Name: Chai Spiced Pear Almond Crumble Tart Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed; 1/4 cup ice water; 4 ripe pears, peeled, cored, and sliced; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon chai spice blend; 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom; 1 cup rolled oats; 1/2 cup chopped almonds; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Baking up a Chai Spiced Pear Almond Crumble Tart is a celebration of cozy spices, juicy pears, and irresistible crunch that delivers the ultimate dessert experience. This gorgeous tart blends mellow fruitiness with aromatic chai notes and a toasty almond-oat topping, all nestled in a buttery, flaky crust. Whether you want a showstopper for a dinner party or a special treat with a cup of tea, this dessert is pure magic from the first bite. It’s a labor of love, but every single step pays off in flavor and texture—no store-bought tart can compete!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chai Spiced Pear Almond Crumble Tart Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about this Chai Spiced Pear Almond Crumble Tart is just how trusty and straightforward the ingredients are. Every component adds something uniquely delicious, from the rich butter that makes the crust so tender to the chai spices that warm you from within. Here’s what you need and why each part matters:

All-purpose flour: Gives the crust its structure and light crumb, so your tart holds together beautifully.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the base while letting the pears shine.
Salt: Just a pinch sharpens every flavor and keeps the sweetness in check.
Cold unsalted butter: Essential for a flaky, melt-in-your-mouth tart crust—don’t let it soften!
Ice water: Helps the dough come together without developing excess gluten, ensuring tenderness.
Ripe pears: The starring fruit—choose pears that are sweet, fragrant, and give slightly when pressed.
Brown sugar: Adds caramel notes to both the filling and the crumble topping for deep, cozy flavor.
Chai spice blend: The soul of the tart, bringing together cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, and more.
Ground ginger: Accentuates the spicy warmth of the chai, making each slice vibrant.
Ground cardamom: Offers its distinctly floral, nutty, almost citrusy punch—so irresistible with pears.
Rolled oats: Add heartiness and crunch to the crumble, plus a rustic look.
Chopped almonds: Their nutty bite perfectly contrasts the soft fruit and keeps things interesting.
Melted unsalted butter: Moistens and binds the crumble for those golden, toasty clusters everyone loves.

How to Make Chai Spiced Pear Almond Crumble Tart

Step 1: Make the Flaky Pastry

Start by gathering a big mixing bowl and whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Scatter in the cold, cubed butter and work it in with a pastry blender, fork, or even your fingers, until the mixture looks sandy and pebbly, with some chunks of butter still visible. Drizzle in ice water, a tablespoon at a time, just until the dough starts to come together when pinched. You don’t want to overwork it! Gather the dough into a disk, wrap it snuggly in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes. This chill time is crucial for keeping your crust crisp and tender.

Step 2: Prepare the Spiced Pear Filling

While your pastry chills, set to work on the filling. In a clean bowl, toss the peeled, cored, and sliced ripe pears with brown sugar, a spoonful of flour (to help thicken their juices), chai spice blend, ground ginger, and cardamom. This step lets the pears soak up the spices and ensures every bite is infused with flavor. Let it sit while you move on to the topping—the magic is already happening!

Step 3: Mix the Almond Oat Crumble Topping

Grab a new bowl and combine rolled oats, chopped almonds, brown sugar, and that luscious melted butter. Stir until everything is evenly coated and clumping together a little. This crumble will transform in the oven, becoming gorgeously golden and crunchy—the perfect contrast to the soft, spiced pears beneath.

Step 4: Assemble the Tart

Roll out your chilled tart dough on a lightly floured surface, aiming for a 12-inch round (about 1/8-inch thick). Gently drape the dough into a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom; ease it into the corners and up the sides. Trim any excess dough with a knife or by rolling your rolling pin across the top. Pile in your chai-spiced pears, spreading them evenly, and then sprinkle the crumble topping over everything, making sure every inch is covered.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the assembled tart on a baking sheet (to catch any drips) and slide it into the oven. Bake for 40–50 minutes, until the crust is deeply golden, the crumble is toasted, and the filling is bubbling gently. The aroma of warm chai spices, toasted almonds, and buttery pastry will fill your kitchen—pure heaven! Let the tart cool for a bit before slicing, so the filling sets and each slice holds up.

How to Serve Chai Spiced Pear Almond Crumble Tart

Garnishes

The Chai Spiced Pear Almond Crumble Tart is fantastic on its own, but a finishing flourish never hurts! A scoop of vanilla ice cream slowly melting over a warm slice is pure bliss. For a lighter touch, softly whipped cream sprinkled with a little extra chai spice or chopped almonds adds a lovely touch. A dusting of powdered sugar is always welcome and gives gorgeous visual appeal.

Side Dishes

Pair your tart with a hot cup of chai (to echo those gorgeous spices), or a fresh fruit salad for a vibrant, cooling contrast. A scoop of cinnamon gelato or a drizzle of salted caramel alongside a slice of tart makes for an unforgettable dessert experience, especially after a hearty meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, try serving the Chai Spiced Pear Almond Crumble Tart slightly warm and already sliced, arranged on a platter with pretty edible flowers or small mint sprigs for color. You can also cut the tart into tiny squares and pop each one in a cupcake wrapper for a buffet or dessert table—perfect for guests to grab and mingle. Or, serve with tiny scoops of ice cream in espresso cups for an elegant mini-dessert moment!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Chai Spiced Pear Almond Crumble Tart tasting fresh, cover any leftovers tightly and store them in the refrigerator. It will stay delicious for up to three days. The topping may soften a touch, but the flavor only deepens as the spices mellow with the fruit and almonds.

Freezing

If you want to extend the tart’s life, you can freeze individual slices or the whole tart. Once it’s cooled completely, wrap pieces well in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to a month. Let thaw overnight in the fridge before you plan to serve—it will taste almost as good as freshly baked!

Reheating

To restore that just-baked magic, reheat chilled or thawed tart slices in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10–15 minutes, or until warmed through and the crumble is once again toasty. Simply zap in the microwave for a softer bite, but a little oven time makes the crust and crumble sing.

FAQs

Can I make the crust in advance?

Absolutely! You can make the pastry dough up to two days ahead. Just keep it well wrapped in the fridge until you’re ready to roll it out. In fact, a good chill only improves the crust’s flakiness.

What’s in a chai spice blend?

Chai spice blend is usually a fragrant mixture featuring cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and sometimes a pinch of black pepper or nutmeg. You can find it pre-mixed or make your own to suit your spice preferences.

What kind of pears work best?

Look for pears that are ripe but firm—Bosc, Bartlett, or Anjou are perfect choices. Overly soft pears may get mushy, while rock-hard fruit won’t bake down nicely.

Is the Chai Spiced Pear Almond Crumble Tart gluten free?

As written, this recipe contains all-purpose flour and is not gluten free. However, you can try substituting your favorite 1:1 gluten free baking flour for both the crust and the filling with generally good results.

Can this tart be made dairy free?

Yes, with the right swaps! Use a good plant-based butter for both the crust and the crumble topping, and you’ll still get beautiful flavor and texture. Serve with coconut whipped cream or non-dairy ice cream for a fully dairy-free dessert.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving the flavors of fall or want to dazzle your loved ones, this Chai Spiced Pear Almond Crumble Tart truly delivers. It’s a recipe you’ll return to again and again, not just for the gorgeous layers of taste but for the pure comfort it brings. Gather your ingredients and treat yourself—you won’t regret making this unforgettable tart!