Easy Apple Pear Pie Recipe
Oh, I’m so excited to share this Easy Apple Pear Pie Recipe with you! It’s one of those comforting desserts that just feels like a warm hug after a long day. The blend of tart apples with the subtle sweetness of pears creates a flavor that’s both familiar and surprisingly fresh. I often make it during fall, but honestly, it’s fantastic anytime you want a cozy treat.
What really makes this pie special is how simple it is to pull together, even if you’re not a baking whiz. You’ll love that juicy pear topping glazed to perfection, which adds a lovely shine and an extra layer of flavor. This Easy Apple Pear Pie Recipe is truly a crowd-pleaser, and once you master it, you’ll be reaching for it again and again for family dinners and casual weekend gatherings.
Why This Recipe Works
- Perfect Fruit Balance: Tart apples and sweet pears complement each other for a flavor that’s complex yet comforting.
- Simple, No-Fuss Technique: No complicated crust folding here; just press or roll your dough and let the fruit do the rest.
- Beautiful Pear Topping: A glossy, baked pear decoration not only looks stunning but adds an inviting texture contrast.
- Flexible Ingredient Amounts: Easy to adjust sugar and cornstarch based on your fruit’s sweetness and juiciness for a perfect pie every time.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Easy Apple Pear Pie Recipe is made from simple pantry staples combined with fresh fruit, making it approachable and delicious. Picking the right apples and pears is key for the best texture and flavor balance — you want firm, crisp fruit that holds up in the oven.
- Tart apples: I recommend Granny Smith or similar tart varieties for that perfect apple bite and to cut through the sugar.
- Brown sugar: Adds warmth and depth, giving the filling a cozy sweetness without overpowering the fruit.
- Cornstarch: Essential for thickening the juicy filling and avoiding a soggy crust.
- Cinnamon: A classic spice that pairs beautifully with both apples and pears to warm up the flavors.
- Lemon juice: Keeps fruit from browning and adds a fresh, zesty contrast.
- Pears: Use firm, ripe pears for the topping, like Bosc or Anjou, to maintain their shape and add sweetness.
- Coconut oil: Adds moisture and a subtle hint of richness to the glaze.
Make It Your Way
I love customizing this Easy Apple Pear Pie Recipe depending on what’s fresh or what I’m craving. Feel free to play with the ratios or add your own twist by swapping out spices or using a mixture of apples and pears in the filling for a fruitier bite.
- Variation: Once, I made this pie with half apple and half pear in the filling instead of only apples; it gave an even sweeter, juicier center that my family gobbled up fast.
- Diet Swap: For a gluten-free version, use a store-bought gluten-free crust, and it still bakes up beautifully.
- Sweetness Adjustment: If your pears are super sweet, try cutting back on the brown sugar to let the natural fruit flavors shine.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Apple Pear Pie Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pie Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lightly greasing a 9-inch pie plate. This step is easy to overlook, but the greased pan helps your crust release smoothly after baking, giving you that perfect slice every time. While the oven is heating, roll out or press your pie dough evenly into the plate and crimp the edges with your fingers for a rustic look — no fancy moves necessary!
Step 2: Toss the Filling Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine your peeled, cored, and thinly sliced apples with brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt, and lemon juice. Stir everything gently but thoroughly so each slice is coated. I always check for pooling liquid at this point — if I see any, I toss in an extra tablespoon of cornstarch to keep the filling thick and avoid a soggy bottom.
Step 3: Assemble the Pie
Spoon your filling mixture evenly into the prepared crust and smooth out the surface. Next, arrange the sliced pears on top in a pretty circular pattern — I find this not only looks super inviting but also helps the pears bake evenly. Once arranged, brush the pear slices liberally with the warm glaze made of brown sugar, coconut oil, and lemon juice; this gives the pie a gorgeous golden shine as it bakes.
Step 4: Bake and Enjoy
Cover the pie loosely with foil to prevent the top from burning, then bake for 35 to 40 minutes. You’re aiming for bubbling filling and a golden-brown crust. In my experience, checking at 35 minutes is crucial — you want the pears soft but still holding their shape. Let the pie cool well before slicing for the best texture.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Even Slices: I always take a few extra minutes to slice the fruit evenly; it ensures consistent baking and a nicer texture.
- Extra Cornstarch Trick: If the filling looks juicy, stirring in a bit more cornstarch really saves the crust from getting soggy.
- Glaze Magic: Don’t skip the coconut oil and lemon juice glaze—it locks in moisture and adds a stunning shine.
- Cool Before Serving: Waiting a couple of hours before cutting keeps the filling firm and the slices perfect.
How to Serve Easy Apple Pear Pie Recipe
Garnishes
I usually serve this pie with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Sometimes, if I have fresh mint on hand, a few leaves add a lovely pop of color and a refreshing contrast to the warm pie.
Side Dishes
This pie pairs wonderfully with a cup of spiced tea or coffee for a relaxing afternoon treat. For a full meal, try serving it after a simple roast chicken or cinnamon-spiced pork chops — the sweetness rounds out savory flavors perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday dinners, I’ve arranged small slices on a pretty platter with edible flowers or a dusting of powdered sugar to make the dessert table extra special. Another fun idea is to bake mini versions in ramekins for individual servings — they’re adorable and great for parties!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover pie covered tightly with foil or plastic wrap in the fridge, where it stays fresh for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so it’s perfect the next day too.
Freezing
I’ve had good success freezing this pie after it’s baked and cooled completely. Wrap it well in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, I preheat my oven to 350°F and warm individual slices or the whole pie for about 15-20 minutes. This helps get a crisp crust again without drying out the filling like a microwave would.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen fruit for this pie?
While fresh apples and pears work best for texture and flavor, you can use frozen fruit if needed. Just make sure to thaw it completely and drain any excess liquid before mixing with sugar and cornstarch to prevent a soggy crust.
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What type of pie crust works best?
A classic buttery pie crust is fantastic here, whether homemade or store-bought. Just make sure it’s chilled and rolled evenly for the best baking results. For convenience, pre-made refrigerated doughs are perfectly fine too.
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How do I prevent the crust edges from burning?
To avoid burnt edges, cover the outer crust with foil or a pie shield halfway through baking. This allows the center to cook fully while protecting the edges from over-browning.
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Can I make this pie vegan?
Yes! Use a vegan pie crust recipe or store-bought vegan crust, and replace butter in the glaze with coconut oil (which the recipe already uses). This Easy Apple Pear Pie Recipe is naturally dairy-free aside from the crust.
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How long should I let the pie cool before serving?
Allow the pie to cool for at least 2 hours at room temperature so the filling sets properly. This prevents it from being too runny and makes slicing much easier.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Easy Apple Pear Pie Recipe has become one of my go-to cozy desserts because it’s so straightforward and reliable. The juicy blend of apples and pears with a touch of cinnamon is just unbeatable. Give it a try like I’m serving you a slice right from my kitchen—warm, comforting, and just a little bit special. I promise you’ll be making it again and again!
PrintEasy Apple Pear Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Apple Pear Pie is a delightful twist on a classic apple pie, featuring tart apples and sweet pears layered together with a cinnamon-spiced filling and a shiny glaze. Perfectly baked with a flaky crust and a golden fruit topping, it’s an inviting dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
Filling:
- 4 medium tart apples (peeled, cored and sliced thinly)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Topping:
- 2 pears (peeled, cored and sliced thinly)
Glaze:
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and crust: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9” pie plate and set aside. Roll out or press dough into the pie plate, spreading evenly and crimp edges with your fingers for a finished look.
- Make the filling: In a large bowl, combine sliced apples, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt, and lemon juice. Toss well to coat all the fruit. If you notice liquid pooling at the bottom of the bowl, stir in an additional tablespoon of cornstarch to thicken the mixture.
- Assemble the pie: Spoon the apple filling into the prepared crust and smooth the top evenly to distribute the filling well.
- Prepare the glaze: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt together brown sugar, coconut oil, and lemon juice until fully combined. Set aside.
- Add the pear topping: Arrange the thinly sliced pears over the filling in a decorative circular pattern for an elegant look. Brush the pears liberally with the prepared glaze to add shine and flavor.
- Bake the pie: Cover the pie loosely with foil to prevent over-browning and bake for 40 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the pears are soft and caramelized.
Notes
- Slice the fruit evenly to ensure even baking throughout the pie.
- Adjust the sweetness to taste, especially if using sweeter apple varieties.
- Feel free to mix apples and pears 50/50 in the filling for a blended flavor profile.
- Adjust the amount of cornstarch to prevent excess liquid and avoid a soggy pie crust.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg