Raspberries are one of those special fruits you can add to just about anything with great results. So, whenever I’m looking to spruce up more subtle tastes (like a pear filling), raspberries are my go-to fruit. Since pear and raspberry season overlap during the early fall months, Pear-Raspberry Pie is a nice alternative to the more traditional and expected harvesttime pies. You can also try this with Cinnamon Sugar Crumb Topping (page 12).
Recipe information
Yield
Makes one 9-inch pie, 6 to 8 slices (level: easy)
Ingredients
Crust
Filling
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Step 2
To prepare the pie shell, divide the ball of dough in half, setting one half to the side. On a clean, lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough with a rolling pin until it forms a 10-inch circle. Fold the circle in half, place it in a 9-inch pie plate so that the edges of the circle drop over the rim, and unfold the dough to completely cover the pie plate. Set the pie shell to the side while you make the filling.
Step 3
To prepare the filling, in a large bowl, mix together the pears, the raspberries, 3/4 cup sugar, the lemon juice, and the lemon zest and let the ingredients sit for 5 minutes to bring out the juices. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and the cornstarch. Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the fruit and toss until the fruit is thoroughly coated. Place the fruit mixture in the pie shell, distributing it evenly. Dot the filling with the butter.
Step 4
To prepare the top crust, roll out the second half of the dough with a rolling pin until it forms a 10-inch circle. Fold the dough circle in half and place it over the filling, with the straight line of the half circle running down the middle of the pie. Unfold the circle so that the entire pie is covered. Using your thumb and index finger, crimp the edges of the pie together to seal in the filling, and then use a fork to puncture the top of the pie 5 or 6 times. Brush the top of the pie and crimped edges with heavy cream to create a perfect, golden brown finish.
Step 5
To bake, place the pie plate on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 375°F and continue baking for approximately 35 minutes, or until the pears are tender. Transfer the pie plate to a wire cooling rack and allow the pie to cool and set for 1 1/2 hours before serving.
Step 6
Pear-Raspberry Pie is best served either at room temperature or warmed at 350°F for about 10 minutes. It will keep at room temperature overnight and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
