Chocolate Pear Hazelnut Tart Recipe

Prep Time: 45 Minutes + Chilling
Bake Time: 30 Minutes + Cooling
Makes: 12 Servings

Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 Cups of All-Purpose Flour
- 1/3 Cup of Ground Hazelnuts
- 1/4 Cup of Packed Brown Sugar
- Dash of Salt
- 1/2 Cup of Cold Butter: Cubed
- 3 to 5 Tbsp. of Ice Water
Filling:
- 3 Eggs: Seperated
- 1 Cup of Ground Hazelnuts
- 1/3 Cup of Butter: Softened
- 1/3 Cup of Packed Brown Sugar
- 2 Tbsp. of Baking Cocoa
- 2 Tbsp. of Amaretto or 1/2 Tsp. of Almond Extract
- 6 Canned Pear Halves: Drained, Sliced and Patted Dry
- 2 Tbsp. of Honey: Warmed

Instructions: 
1. Mix first four ingredients; cut in butter until crumbly. Gradually add ice water, tossing with a fork until dough holds together. Shape into a disk; wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 30 minutes.

2. Place egg whites in a bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 400F. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 1/8 inch thick circle; transfer to a 9 inch fluted tart pan. Trim pastry even with edge; prick bottom with a fork. Refrigerate.

3. In a large bowl, beat hazelnuts, butter, brown sugar and cocoa. Beat in yolks and amaretto.

4. With clean beaters, beat egg whites on medium speed until stiff. Gradually fold into hazelnut mixture; spread onto bottom of pastry. Top with pears.

5. Bake on lower oven rack for 30 to 35 minutes. Brush pears with warm honey. Cool on a wire rack.

Bon Appetit!