Pear Pie

Takes 120 minutes | Serves 12 |

Ingredients

450 g wheat flour
250 g butter
1 tsp salt
3 tbsp cold water
8 pieces pears
150 g brown sugar
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
100 ml water
1 piece egg
1 tbsp sugar

Steps

Prepare the dough

• Combine the flour, butter, and salt in a bowl. Use your fingers to crumble the butter into the flour until the mixture has a coarse, sand-like texture.
• Add the water and knead the dough together. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Prepare the filling

• Peel and dice the pears. Sauté the pear pieces in a large pan with butter.
• Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Cook until the sugar melts.
• Add water and let the mixture simmer until it thickens into a compote-like consistency. Turn off the heat.

Preheat the oven

• Preheat the oven to 200°C (top and bottom heat).

Roll out the dough

• Divide the dough in half. Roll out one half to about 3 mm thick. Place it in a large pie dish (26–28 cm), pressing the dough into the bottom and sides. Trim off any excess dough.

Blind bake the crust

• Prick the bottom of the dough with a fork. Place a sheet of baking paper over the dough and fill it with dried peas, beans, or rice to help it keep its shape during baking.
• Bake in the center of the oven for 15 minutes. Remove the baking paper and beans/rice.

Add the filling

• Spread the pear mixture evenly over the pie crust.

Roll out the top crust

• Roll out the second half of the dough and place it over the filling as a lid. Trim off the excess dough. Press the edges of the top and bottom dough together to seal the pie.

Egg wash and sugar

• Brush the top crust with the beaten egg and sprinkle an even layer of sugar over it. Make a few small cuts in the middle of the pie to allow steam to escape.

Bake

• Bake the pie in the center of the oven for 25–30 minutes, until the top crust is golden and crispy.

Cool and serve

• Let the pie cool for a few minutes before cutting. Serve with crème fraîche or vanilla ice cream.