If you are on the hunt for a dessert that feels like a warm hug on a cool evening, look no further than this Dutch Pear Pie with Spiced Caramel Sauce Recipe. This pie beautifully balances the natural sweetness and delicate texture of ripe pears with a crunchy oat crumble and a rich, aromatic caramel sauce infused with cozy spices. It’s a showstopper that combines rustic charm with refined flavors, making it perfect for holiday dinners, weekend treats, or any time you want to impress with something uniquely delightful.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Dutch Pear Pie with Spiced Caramel Sauce Recipe lies in its straightforward ingredients, each thoughtfully chosen to create a symphony of flavors and textures. Simple pantry staples come together with fresh pears and warming spices to build layers of taste that are both comforting and sophisticated.
- Basic Pie Dough (1/2 recipe): You can use store-bought or homemade dough, providing a flaky, buttery base for the pie.
- All-purpose flour (1/2 cup): Adds structure to the crumble topping for a perfect crunch.
- Old-fashioned oats (1/4 cup): Contribute chewiness and rustic texture to the topping.
- Light brown sugar (1/3 cup, packed): Adds caramel notes and sweetness to the crumble.
- Kosher salt (1/4 teaspoon): Enhances all the sweet flavors, balancing the pie.
- Cold unsalted butter (1/4 cup, cut into pieces): Creates that irresistible crumble finish.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Sweetens the pear filling without overpowering it.
- Cornstarch (3 tablespoons): Thickens the filling, keeping it perfectly set.
- Ground cinnamon (3/4 teaspoon): Brings warm, spicy depth to the filling.
- Ground ginger (3/4 teaspoon): Adds a subtle zing that lifts the flavor.
- Freshly grated nutmeg (1/2 teaspoon): Infuses the pears with a fragrant note.
- Ground allspice (1/4 teaspoon): Complements other spices with its sweet and peppery undertones.
- Firm-ripe pears (2 1/2 pounds, about 5 medium): The star ingredient, sliced thin for even baking and tenderness.
- Fresh lemon juice (1 tablespoon): Brightens the filling and prevents browning.
- Pear brandy (3 tablespoons total, divided): Adds sophistication and depth to both filling and sauce.
- Heavy cream (1/2 cup): Bases the luscious spiced caramel sauce.
- Unsalted butter (2 tablespoons, cut into pieces): Rounds out the caramel sauce with richness.
- Pure vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the sweetness and warm spice flavors.
- Additional spices for sauce (1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon ginger, pinch of allspice): Make the caramel irresistibly fragrant and cozy.
How to Make Dutch Pear Pie with Spiced Caramel Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Pie Crust
Start by rolling your basic pie dough into a generous 13-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Gently transfer it to a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate, carefully pressing it into the edges. Trim the excess dough to leave about an inch of overhang, then fold it under to refine the edge and crimp it to make a decorative border. Pop the crust into the freezer for about 20 minutes. This chilling step ensures your crust stays firm and flaky when it bakes.
Step 2: Make the Crumble Topping
While the crust chills, mix the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, light brown sugar, and salt in a bowl. Cut in the cold butter pieces with a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This topping will add a delightful texture contrast to the tender pear filling beneath.
Step 3: Prepare the Pear Filling
In a large bowl, combine granulated sugar, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice. Toss in your thinly sliced pears, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and a tablespoon of pear brandy. Mix gently but thoroughly so each slice is coated evenly, ensuring the filling cooks to a perfect, flavorful consistency.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake the Pie
Pour the fragrant pear filling into your prepared pie crust and evenly sprinkle the crumble topping over the pears, breaking it into rustic clumps as you go. Bake the pie in a preheated oven until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling through the crumble. This bake time helps meld the juicy pears with the crisp topping, creating a perfect harmony of textures.
Step 5: Make the Spiced Caramel Sauce
While the pie bakes, warm the heavy cream and light brown sugar in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Bring it to a gentle boil and then remove from heat. Stir in the remaining pear brandy, unsalted butter, vanilla extract, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice. This sauce is the crowning glory—rich, silky, and infused with warm spices that complement the pie perfectly.
How to Serve Dutch Pear Pie with Spiced Caramel Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
Drizzle the warm spiced caramel sauce generously over slices of pie just before serving. A dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside will elevate each bite, adding creamy coolness that contrasts beautifully with the warm spices and textures of the pie.
Side Dishes
This Dutch Pear Pie with Spiced Caramel Sauce Recipe pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of spiced tea or rich coffee. For a full dessert experience, consider a simple cheese board featuring aged cheddar or blue cheese—the sharpness cuts through the sweetness and creates exciting flavor contrasts.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive touch, dust the pie lightly with cinnamon sugar before baking for extra sparkle and a hint of crunch. Alternatively, serve individual mini pies using ramekins for an elegant presentation that’s perfect for dinner parties or holiday gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Dutch Pear Pie with Spiced Caramel Sauce Recipe tasting fresh, cover any leftovers tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. It will stay delicious at room temperature for up to two days, or in the refrigerator for about four days, maintaining its delightful flavors and textures.
Freezing
If you want to save some for a later indulgence, wrap the cooled pie tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil before freezing. It can be frozen for up to two months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Warm individual slices gently in a microwave for about 20-30 seconds or heat the whole pie in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes to revive that fresh-baked aroma and flaky texture. Adding a little extra drizzle of the spiced caramel sauce before serving will feel like a brand new treat.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of fruit in this recipe?
Absolutely! While pears offer a unique sweetness and texture, apples or a mix of apples and pears would work beautifully, especially varieties that hold their shape well during baking.
Is pear brandy essential for the recipe?
Pear brandy adds a lovely depth and subtle fruitiness to the pie and caramel sauce, but if you don’t have it, you can substitute with apple brandy, rum, or simply omit it. The pie will still be delicious.
How do I ensure the pie crust stays flaky and doesn’t get soggy?
Chilling the pie crust before baking is key, as is working with cold butter in the topping. Also, making sure the pears are well-coated with cornstarch helps thicken any juices, keeping the crust crisp.
Can I prepare the crumble topping in advance?
Yes, you can mix the crumble topping a day ahead and keep it refrigerated in an airtight container. This can even be frozen if you want to prepare parts of the recipe well in advance.
What is the best way to slice the pears?
Slicing the pears about 1/4-inch thick ensures they bake evenly without turning mushy. Uniform slices also help the pie cook through consistently and maintain a pleasant texture.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about the Dutch Pear Pie with Spiced Caramel Sauce Recipe that invites cozy moments and shared smiles around the table. Its combination of tender, juicy fruit, crumbly oat topping, and an irresistible spiced caramel drizzle is a dessert that feels both comforting and elegant. I can’t wait for you to try making this at home and watch your loved ones delight in every delicious bite!
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Dutch Pear Pie with Spiced Caramel Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Dutch Pear Pie features a flaky homemade or store-bought crust filled with a spiced pear mixture and topped with a crunchy oat crumble. The pie is baked to golden perfection and served with a rich, warm spiced caramel sauce infused with pear brandy and warm spices, making it an indulgent dessert perfect for fall gatherings.
Ingredients
Pie Crust
- 1/2 recipe Basic Pie Dough (store-bought or homemade)
Crumble Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
Fruit Filling
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 2 1/2 pounds firm-ripe pears (about 5 medium), cored and sliced 1/4-inch thick (7 cups)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon pear brandy
Spiced Caramel Sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons pear brandy
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
- Pinch ground allspice
Instructions
- Prepare the Pie Crust: Roll the pie dough into a 13-inch circle on a floured surface. Carefully fit it into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Trim the excess dough to leave about 1 inch overhang, fold the edges under to create a thick border, and crimp the edge for a decorative finish. Freeze the crust for 20 minutes to set.
- Make the Crumble Topping: In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, packed light brown sugar, and kosher salt. Cut in the cold unsalted butter using your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Set aside.
- Prepare the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, toss the sliced pears with fresh lemon juice and pear brandy to prevent browning and add flavor. In a separate small bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, cornstarch, kosher salt, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, freshly grated nutmeg, and ground allspice. Sprinkle this spice-sugar mixture over the pears and gently toss to coat everything evenly.
- Assemble the Pie: Transfer the pear filling into the prepared pie crust, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the crumble topping liberally over the pear filling, breaking it into clumps so it covers the filling with a crunchy texture.
- Bake the Pie: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the pie on the center rack and bake for approximately 50-60 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. To prevent over-browning, cover the edges of the crust with foil if needed during the last 15 minutes. Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool slightly.
- Make the Spiced Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine heavy cream and light brown sugar over medium heat. Stir continuously until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to thicken and caramelize slightly—about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sauce from heat and stir in pear brandy, unsalted butter pieces, pure vanilla extract, kosher salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, and a pinch of ground allspice until smooth and well combined.
- Serve: Pour the warm spiced caramel sauce over slices of the Dutch Pear Pie or serve it on the side. Enjoy immediately to experience the delicious combination of spiced pears, crunchy crumble, and luscious caramel.
Notes
- Use firm-ripe pears to ensure they hold their shape during baking.
- Freezing the crust before baking helps prevent shrinkage and creates a flakier texture.
- If pear brandy is unavailable, you may substitute with a pear liqueur or apple brandy for similar flavor.
- The spiced caramel sauce can be made ahead and gently reheated before serving.
- Store any leftover pie covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat slices with sauce for best taste.
