Are you craving a warm, comforting dessert that's both easy to make and bursting with flavor? Look no further! This apple pear pie recipe is the perfect blend of sweet and tart, featuring the delightful combination of juicy apples and sweet pears. It's a fantastic homemade treat, perfect for family gatherings or a cozy night in. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a kitchen newbie, this recipe will guide you through creating a delicious pie that's sure to impress. Get ready to enjoy the wonderful aromas and satisfying taste of this easy-to-follow recipe!
Ingredients:
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For the Crust:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 1/2 cup ice water
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For the Filling:
- 6 medium apples (such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 3 ripe pears (such as Anjou or Bartlett), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions:
Making the Crust:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in butter: Add the chilled butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add water: Gradually add the ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Don't overmix.
- Chill the dough: Form the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Assembling and Baking the Pie:
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples and pears, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Toss gently to coat.
- Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate.
- Add the filling: Pour the apple pear filling into the pie crust. Dot the top with the small pieces of butter.
- Top with the crust: Roll out the second disc of dough and either place it over the filling or cut it into strips for a lattice top. Crimp the edges to seal. Cut several slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
- Bake: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, cover the edges with aluminum foil.
- Cool: Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to set.
Tips for the Best Apple Pear Pie:
- Using a mix of apple varieties adds complexity to the flavor.
- Don't overmix the pie crust dough, or it will become tough.
- For a richer crust, use half butter and half shortening.
- A sprinkle of coarse sugar on top before baking adds a lovely crunch.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra decadent treat.
Variations:
- Spiced Apple Pear Pie: Add a pinch of cardamom or ginger to the filling for an extra warm spice flavor.
- Apple Pear Crumble Pie: Instead of a top crust, use a crumble topping made from flour, oats, brown sugar, and butter.
- Vegan Apple Pear Pie: Substitute vegan butter and milk alternatives for the dairy ingredients.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 350-400
- Fat: 15-20g
- Carbohydrates: 50-60g
- Sugar: 25-30g
- Protein: 4-5g
This delicious apple pear pie is a perfect example of easy recipes and quick dinner ideas that are surprisingly healthy. Enjoy this homemade cooking masterpiece, a wonderful addition to your best recipes collection! It's a delightful dessert that's sure to become a family favorite.