A New Kind of Pear Pie to Serve at Your Holiday Table

No holiday season is complete without a homemade pie.

If you're looking for a break from the classics and want to try something new this season, this spiced pear crumble pie is for you! It offers the best of both worlds, especially if you have a hard time choosing between fruit pies and crumbles. This pie has it all: a flaky pie crust, a juicy fruit filling, and a lightly spiced crumble topping.

The filling of this pie starts with a simple base of peeled, cored, and chopped Royal Riviera Pears. We then mix in all-purpose flour (to help thicken the filling), light brown sugar, lemon juice, pure vanilla extract, and warming spices. Could anything sound tastier?

While tempting to enjoy them as is, mixing Royal Riviera Pears into this kind of pie helps get the most out of their flavor! But be sure to use firm, barely ripened Royal Riviera Pears. Fully ripe or over-ripe pears will lose their shape and become too soft while cooking.

Once the pie comes out of the oven, you'll be tempted to slice it right away, but please be patient. Let it to cool for at least 2 to 3 hours to allow the fruit filling to thicken and set. Serve with ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Or, if you'd rather make just a simple pear crumble, this recipe might be more your speed!

Spiced Pear Crumble Pie

SERVINGS

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Equipment

• Rolling pin
• 9-inch pie plate
• Pastry brush
• Bench scraper
• Kitchen shears
• Plastic wrap
• Half-sheet pan

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Ingredients

Single Crust Pie Dough
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 12 teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal brand)
• 1 stick unsalted butter (cold, cut into 1/2 inch cubes)
• 14 cup cold water
Spiced Crumble Topping
• 34 cup all-purpose flour
• 34 cup old fashioned rolled oats
• 14 cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (ground)
• 18 teaspoon ginger (ground)
• 18 teaspoon allspice (ground)
• 14 teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal brand)
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter (cold, cut into cubes)
Pear Filling
• 6 Harry & David® Royal Riviera® Pears (ripe but firm, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch chunks)
• 13 cup light brown sugar
• 14 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (ground)
• 14 teaspoon ginger (ground)
• 18 teaspoon allspice (ground)
• 18 teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal brand)
Egg Wash (optional)
• 1 egg (beaten)
• 1 teaspoon milk
• Ice cream or whipped cream for topping (optional)

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The Favorite® Royal Riviera® Pears

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Instructions

For the pie crust
1
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt until well combined.
2
Add the cold butter pieces and toss to coat, separating any pieces of butter that stick together.
3
Using your thumb and forefinger on both hands, press the butter pieces into 1/4-inch thick discs. If the butter becomes greasy, allow the mixture to chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before continuing.
4
Add the cold water and stir together with a spatula until just absorbed.
5
Press the dough together -- use the sides of the bowl to assist. (The dough will be slightly shaggy.)
6
Transfer the dough to a well-floured countertop and dust the dough with flour.
7
Using a floured rolling pin, roll the dough into a rectangle measuring roughly 10-inches x 6-inches. Lightly brush away any excess flour with a pastry brush. Fold the 6-inch sides inward towards each other so that both edges meet in the center.
8
Fold the dough in half to form a square. This laminates the dough, resulting in a flakier pie crust.
9
Gently shape the dough into a disc and roll into a circle measuring 14 inches in diameter.
10
As you are rolling the dough, rotate it by quarter turns, lifting it regularly with a bench scraper to prevent sticking, and dusting with flour as necessary. If the dough becomes too soft or difficult to work with, chill in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes before continuing.
11
Carefully transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie pan. Gently lift and nudge the dough into the edges of the pan without stretching the dough.
12
Using kitchen shears or a knife, trim the overhang so that it goes just about 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch past the edge of the pan.
13
Fold the edges under and crimp as desired. Brush off excess flour with a pastry brush, cover the dough surface with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours (or overnight).
For the spiced crumble topping
1
Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit with a rack in the center position. Set aside a half sheet pan for later.
2
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and salt. Add the cubed butter and toss to coat.
3
Using your fingertips, work and press the butter into the dry ingredients until the butter is dispersed and there is a good mixture of smaller and larger crumbs. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.
For the pear filling
1
In a large mixing bowl combine the peeled and chopped pear, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, lemon juice, vanilla extract, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and salt.
Assemble the pie
1
Remove the shaped and chilled crust from the refrigerator.
2
Gently transfer the pear filling into the pie shell, spreading it into an even, thick layer.
3
Sprinkle the crumble topping over the pear mixture. It will be thick and generous!
4
Brush the edges of the pie dough lightly with the egg wash. Place the pie pan on a half sheet pan to catch any bubbling juices during baking.
5
Bake for 30 minutes, then reduce the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and continue baking for an additional 30-40 minutes, or until deeply golden and the pear filling is just bubbling.
6
Set pan on a rack and allow pie to cool and set for at least 2-3 hours before serving. Serve slightly warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

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Recipe Author: Laura Davidson