You’ll impress everyone with this downright delicious Cranberry Pear Pie!
I have PIE for you today! Am I a girl who keeps her promises or what?!
I was originally planning to share this post with you later in November, but I just couldn’t wait. I mean, how could I?! This cranberry pear pie is just SO good. And beautiful. And DELICIOUS. It would have been unfair to keep it from you for another moment. Big words… but this may be the best pie I’ve made all Fall. The tart cranberries balance out the sweet pears and the color combination is simply stunning!
If you bake one pie this season, make it this one. Especially if you’re a cranberry lover like me.
Tips and Tricks for Recipe Success:
- I used my foolproof all butter pie crust for this recipe and highly recommend you do the same! That said, feel free to use your favorite pie crust recipe. You’ll need 2 crusts to cover the top and bottom. I’ve included instructions for a braided top, but feel free to do a lattice pattern or something even simpler! Due to the amount of pie filling in this recipe, I don’t recommend using frozen store bought pie shells. I did a test run using them and they got so soggy I couldn’t even slice the pie 🙁
- This cranberry pear pie is very juicy and may bubble over while it’s baking, so be sure you place it on a large baking sheet before popping it in the oven. To make clean up even easier, line the baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Don’t skip the pear juice reduction. This ingredient enhances the pear flavor and makes the filling nice and juicy. For the best flavor, I suggest using a brand that’s 100% juice, like THIS ONE. No matter what brand you use, just be sure you reduce it to exactly 1/4 cup.
- For a gorgeously golden crust, brush the top of the pie with egg wash then sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
- I recommend chopping your pears into bite-sized chunks instead of slices.
- If you’re concerned about over-browning, you can place a pie crust shield over the pie after 30 minutes of baking. If you don’t own one, you can make one using tin foil.
- Make this pie first thing in the morning if you plan on serving it for dessert – it needs at least 6 hours to set! The filling is juicy but not soupy.
If you’re already thinking about the holidays (I know I’m not the only one…?) and want a dessert recipe that will really WOW, this cranberry pear pie is for you!
P.S. I haven’t tried it, but I have a feeling you could make this into a cranberry apple pie by swapping the pears for apples and the pear reduction for apple cider reduction.
If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment below and don’t forget to snap a pic and tag it #bakerbynature on instagram! Seeing your kitchen creations makes my day. ♥
Cranberry Pear Pie
Prep
Cook
Inactive
Total
Yield 9" Pie
This Double Crusted Cranberry Pear Pie is a total showstopper!
Ingredients
- 2 all-butter crusts
- 1 cup pear juice, reduced
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup plus 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
- 5 pears, peeled and sliced into thin chunks (about 1" inch)
- 2 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen (if using frozen, do not thaw first)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (fresh squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, very cold and cut into tiny pieces
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon milk
- Turbinado sugar, optional
Instructions
- Instructions:
- Lightly spray a 9" pie pan with non-stick spray; set aside. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Roll one piece of pie crust into a 12" round, then carefully place it in the prepared pie pan.
- Using your hands, gently fit the dough into the bottom of the pan and up the sides. Sprinkle the bottom of the pie crust with one teaspoon of flour and one teaspoon of granulated sugar, mixing them together so they evenly coat the bottom of the crust. Trim the crust with kitchen sheers, leaving one inch of pie crust overhang. Place pan in the refrigerator until needed.
- Roll the second piece of pie crust into a 12" round. Using a ruler and a paring knife, cut 18 strips, each about a 1/2 inch wide. Don't worry if they end up being a little uneven - it happens! In groups of three, gently braid the strips. Carefully transfer the braids onto the prepared baking sheet and place in the refrigerator until needed.
- Place the pear juice in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until you have 1/4 cup of pear juice reduction; about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside until needed.
- In medium bowl combine both sugars, cornstarch, and spices; set aside. In a large bowl combine pears, cranberries, pear juice reduction, and lemon juice. Add the dry mixture and toss well to coat.
- Using a slotted spoon, fill the chilled pie crust with the cranberry pear filling, leaving excess juices that drip through the spoon behind. Sprinkle the butter pieces on top of the fruit filling. Remove the pie crust braids from the refrigerator and place them on top of the filling. Tuck the excess dough around the edges under itself and crimp the crust using your thumb and index finger. Place the pie in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
- In the meantime, preheat the oven to 425 degrees (F). Make an egg wash by whisking together the egg and milk until well combined. Brush the egg wash over the braids and crust of the unbaked pie, then sprinkle with the turbinado sugar, if using. Place the pie on a large baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 degrees (F), and continue baking for an additional 55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. To avoid over browning, you may want to place a piecrust shield on the pie after 30 minutes of baking. Carefully remove the pie from the oven and place it on a wire rack. Cool completely before cutting, about 6 hours.
- This pie will keep, loosely covered, at room temperature for one day. You may also tightly wrap it and store it in the fridge for up to one week.
Courses Dessert
Cuisine Pie
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 slice
Amount Per Serving | ||
|---|---|---|
% Daily Value |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
You may also enjoy:
White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Fudge
I love adding cranberries to my bakes and sauces.
Great stuff!
Where can I find pear juice?
Hi Laura. Here’s a link to the one I used http://amzn.to/2eez7qj You may also be able to find it at your local grocery store or whole foods.
Thank you again for the link, I can’t believe I missed it in the post! I’ll be sure to purchase there so your site benefits. Looking forward to making this for Thanksgiving!
What type of pear do you recommend be used?
Great question! I prefer bosc pears or anjou pears because they both hold their shape well when baked 🙂
Is it possible to use dried cranberries instead of fresh ones?
Hi Constance. Unfortunately I don’t think that would work for this pie.
What if you reconstitute the dried cranberries with spiced rum / pear juice & zap ’em for a minute in the microwave?
Wow, I love the braided crust on top! It looks so pretty!
Perhaps you could answer this question that is baffleing my mind, I followed all the instructions perfectly yet the inside of my pie was VERY liquid-y-….??
Anyway…
Just made ths pie along with using your crust recipe and I won 1st prize in the pie cook off I brought it to!
(I drained some of the liquid before serving )
Everyone remarked how “fresh” it tasted.
Hi Rebecca. Congratulations on winning! If the pie was soupy it could have needed a little longer in the oven or longer to cool.
Tried your Cranberry Pear Pie for Thanksgiving this year and I just want to say it was FANTASTIC!! Adding it to my tried-and-true recipe box and will be making again next year.
This looks delicious and beautiful. I have 2 questions. Can you make it ahead and freeze it?
Can you replace the butter with margarine, or shortening, or something else non dairy? I have to have non dairy desserts for Thanks Giving.
Hi Judit! It should freeze fine 🙂 However I cannot suggest replacing the butter with margarine as I have not tested this myself.
Hi!! This sounds amazing and I can’t wait to try it! My question is should I blind bake the crust to prevent the bottom from getting soggy? I always am so confused on when I should blind bake and when I shouldn’t. Since the filling isn’t cooked before going into the crust, shouldn’t it be slightly baked to prevent the bottom from being soggy? Thank you!!
I’m a 36 year old man, that really enjoys cooking but never had a successful baking episode. Haha. I love fruit pies and wanted to surprise my aunties with a pie. This pie looked delicious, and I followed the recipe to a T (along with your recipe for your pie crust) and everything turned out absolutely exceptional. The pie was delicious and was the first pie to be devoured.
I’ve always felt that baking is way more of a science than regular culinary, and to bake correctly, keeping to the details of the recipe is what is key. I followed this recipe exactly and that pie was out of this world. Thank you for the recipe.