Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click on the link and make a purchase.
Whisk your senses away to a place where the warmth of homemade Asian Pear Pie and Apple Pie fills the air, marrying the delicacy of exotic pears with the robust charm of heirloom applesāall wrapped in a flaky, golden crust thatās a tribute to autumn itself.
Savoring the Seasons: Seasonal Pie Ingredients That Captivate
The secret to an unforgettable Asian Pear Pie and Apple Pie lies in the tender embrace of seasonal ingredients. Imagine the symphony of flavors as Asian pears and heirloom apples come together, creating a masterpiece that is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the palate.
Have you ever wondered what makes an apple pie truly stand out? It’s the heirloom apple varieties that hold the power to transform a good pie into a classic. Biting into a slice of pie made with these apples is like stepping back in time, into a world where each flavor tells its own story.
A Twist on Tradition: Exotic Pear Desserts
Asian pears, with their delicate sweetness, transform the conventional into the extraordinary. Dive into an Asian pear and apple pie adventure, where textures and tastes play in a delicious melody of fall flavors.
The pie’s crust isn’t just a cover; it’s a canvas. Through intricate lattice crust designs, your pie becomes a masterpiece, with each woven strip a brushstroke of edible artistry.
A Dash of Warmth: Crafting Homemade Pie Spices
I think I enjoy this processā¦building and assembling, building and assembling. I enjoy methodical, repetitive things, especially when they pertain to pie.
Iāve been wanting to make a basket weave-ish kind of pie topping. I think I did it with this. Itās actually MUCH simpler than it looks because you basically just cut the pie crusts in smaller strips and then place them side-by-side like you would one singular strip.
A big tip, put the sheet of pie crust on a cutting board and chill them for 10 minutes. This makes it easier to slice AND move around.
Asian Pears Are Amazing!
I actually had never put Asian pears in a pie before. I kinda thought maybe they wouldnāt work all that well. It turns out, theyāre amazing in a pie.
Theyāre pretty floral so their floral quality works well with apple. I added some creme fraiche, brown sugar, ginger, a pinch of salt and vanilla to this pie.
The creme fraiche and brown sugar cook together, creating almost like a caramel of sorts in the pie. IT IS SO GOOD. AND, MUCH EASIER THAN MAKING CARAMEL.
I learned this little trick when Nicole and I were recipe testing for our upcoming pie workshop and she suggested we add sour cream to the inside of the pie.
Iād never tried it (I think she had). And the results were literally like an apple caramel pie. It was AMAZING. Try it the next time you make an apple pie, or better yet, try this one.
TIPS AND TRICKS
- Keep it Cool: Your dough needs to be as cool as a crisp autumn breeze before rolling it out. This little tip is crucial for that flaky, perfect crust.
- Spice it Right: A little extra dash of cinnamon or a whisper of ginger can elevate your spiced Asian pear apple pie from delicious to divine.
- Sweet Symphony: Balancing the sweetness is keyātoo much and you’ll overpower the nuanced flavors of the fruit, too little and the pieās natural tartness might steal the show.
- Thickness Matters: Cut your fruits evenly to ensure they cook uniformly, melding their flavors beautifully within the pie.
RECIPE FAQs
Asian pears lend a floral and crisp twist to your Asian Pear Pie and Apple Pie, making each slice a discovery of new textures and flavors.
Absolutely! Gluten-free crust alternatives are abundant, ensuring everyone can indulge in the joy of an Asian Pear and Apple Pie.
The crust is the foundation, and the secret lies in its flakiness. The right balance of cold butter and expert handling promises a crust that is simply unparalleled.
More recipes you may enjoy!
Unleash the Flavors: Garlic Braised Ribs
Loved it? Rate it!
Asian Pear Pie and Apple PieĀ
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 peeled firm Asian pears, cut into 1/2-inch slices
- 2 to 3 small apples, I used Pink Lady but Gala, Honeycrisp or Golden Delicious are all good!, cut into 1/2-inch slices
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup light or dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup creme fraiche or sour cream
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- Juice from 1/2 lemon
- Pinch of salt
- 2 homemade or store-bought pie crusts
- 1 large egg, beaten, for egg wash
- 1 to 2 teaspoons turminado sugar, as topping
Instructions
- To a medium bowl, mix together the sliced pears, apples, brown sugar, creme fraiche or sour cream, flour, ginger, lemon juice and salt. Set aside.
- Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll out the first pie crust, rotating and flouring it every so often so it doesnāt stick to the surface, to a 13-inch circle. Roll the dough over the rolling pin and place it over a 9-inch pie dish. Transfer to the fridge while you roll out the second pie crust.
- Roll out the second disk of dough and create a topping however you like. Do a normal lattice, an intricate lattice, make braids. The possibilities are endless, just remember that the freezer is your friend. If your pie dough ever becomes too soft to manage, be sure to put it on a cutting board and stick it in the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes. Itāll instantly become easier to work with.
- Remove the pie dish from the fridge and pour in the filling, including all the juices that the pears and apples have releasedāthis is the good stuff! Place the pie crust on the top however you like and seal it up! Transfer the whole pie to the freezer for about 20 minutes (this will firm it up and eliminate the possibility of shrinking like crazy).
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the pie on a baking sheet and brush it with egg wash and sprinkle the top with turminado sugar. Transfer to the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until the pie is lightly golden brown. Turn the heat down to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 30 minutes.
- Allow the pie to cool for at least 30 minutes, if youāre impatient. If you want sliceable slices that stay in tact, allow the pie to cool for 2 to 3 hours.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I was unsure about this recipe, but my pie turned out excellent. I used sour cream. I followed the recipe and substituted the flour for kraft minute tapioca. This ensured the pie would not be watery due to the juicy pears. I did not have issues with curdling sour cream like other reviewers. Also added a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg.
I made this pie using sour cream. Unfortunately the sour cream curdled leaving a weird appearance to the final slices. The pie has a weird texture with lumpy sour cream. The cook times on this are maybe a bit short to get the golden dark color on the crust. I would need to play with cool times with sour cream as it is delicate to work with.
I just made this pie and the flavor is excellent. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of liquid. Does this have to do with the apples and pears themselves? (I added the 3 tablespoons of flour.)
Trying this today and the recipe didn’t have vanilla listed so I didn’t use it. I hope it still comes out good! Fingers crossed.
Would I be able to make this with ALL Asian pears? I have an Asian pear tree and need to use them up.
I’m allergic to apples and the loss of apple pie has always been my biggest regret. Asian pears are the closest thing I can eat. I’m going to replace the apples with more pears,and I am so grateful to you for this recipie!
let me know how it goes! asian pears are so wonderful–so fragrant and delicious!
The recipe doesn’t call for vanilla, but in your blog it says you used vanilla. Just thought I’d let you know. The pie was amazing, the Creme Fraiche was perfect.
Oh thanks for letting me know. Let me fix this. Glad you loved the pie š
I live in the Bay Area and I’m lucky to have a neighbor who grows Asian pears and apples. He was so gracious to gift me both. I made your pie and it was AMAZING! While my crust didn’t turn out as beautiful as did yours, it was pure deliciousness! Thank you for a great recipe, Adrianne!
This is wonderful to hear! I love Asian pears so much. They’re ridiculously special. You’re so lucky to have a neighbor who has them like that!
Look how golden and crispy the top of the pie looks, its perfect!! Basket weave is a gorgeous way to finish the pie off, and the asian pears are such a unique touch! Love it!