
Throw another log on the fire and grab yourself a slice of pie. ‘Tis the season to satisfy your sweet tooth. From sugar plums to figgy pudding, Christmastime is a dessert-filled winter wonderland. This Pear and Cranberry Christmas Spice Pie is something I think you’ll enjoy sinking your teeth into.
When it comes to Christmas desserts I like them to be fairly traditional. From the fanciful bûche de noël, to gingerbread cookies or spicy plum pudding I like desserts that seem to be reserved for this special time of year and this special time of year only. In fact this Pear and Cranberry Christmas Spice Pie is so evocative of the season that I put the word Christmas in the title. Which pretty much guarantees that I won’t be making this pie until “the weather outside is frightful.”
Maybe it’s just nostalgia, but the aromas of sugar and spice baking in the oven bring out the holiday spirit in me. This pie of sweet pears and tart cranberries, is made aromatic with cardamom, cinnamon, and allspice. If the smell of this pie baking in the oven doesn’t inspire you “to deck the halls” then “you’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch.”
Pear and Cranberry Christmas Spice Pie
There are many things to love about this holiday pie. It bakes a good long time so as I said the house fills up with a seasonal scent. The long cooking time also allows the brown sugar sweetened pears and cranberries to create a juicy crimson filling that gently bubbles while baking. As I’ve chosen the rather cute (too cute??) topping of pastry cut outs in the form of snowflakes you’ll have to be careful about this Pear and Cranberry Christmas Spice Pie bubbling over. So give yourself plenty of pastry and build nice tall lip (read dam) on this pie. GREG
Dang.…how did I miss this beauty before Christmas? A beauty to behold, and such bold flavors.…yum!
It’s so festive and of the season — and I love the walnut surprise at the bottom.
Best wishes to you and Ken for the holidays and new year!
Gorgeous Greg and such sweet (pun intended) sentiment about Christmas desserts. I was feeling a bit Scrooge-ish — nay, Grinch-ish — up until I saw your pie. I think my heart (and stomach) grew at least one size…
I have not stopped thinking about this pie since I saw it online earlier. It’s so incredibly festive, Greg. Love anything with cranberries in it… and yet I’ve never had a pie with it! So beautiful. Hope you’re gearing up for a wonderful holiday!
What a gorgeous pie.
We just don’t eat pears as often as we should. They really are lovely fruit. Apples always get the limelight.
I’m going to make your pie, Greg, this year for Xmas.
Thanks! xoxo
Pear and cranberry sounds like such a great pie filling combination! And that crust is super beautiful. (And I have to say that I think the most frightful weather of the year falls in August, not December — but that won’t stop me from making one of these when cranberries are inn season! 🙂 )
Greg, I always make apple-cranberry pie and forget all about pears! Thanks for reminding me that I just don’t do enough with pears. I like them, but I just forget about them for some reason. This pie is such a beauty, I think I can remember now!
Aha! The pear and cranberry creation of which you spoke. It is magnificent.
How beautiful! This reminds me of my favorite pie, an Apple-Cranberry Pie with a lattice crust. I am with you — Christmas is the season for sweets!
Wow Greg, this pie is spectacular. I love the snowflake top crust. So festive. I hope your holiday is magical. Cheers, D
This is just too perfect. Are you sure that every snowflake has 6 points? So pretty, Greg, and I bet it tastes much better than pretty!
I am so ashamed about my lousy crust-making. Can you be my tutor? Your pie is lovely — absolutely so.
I love this post Greg, all your little holiday song references made me smile. This pie is just lovely. I adore the look of the top crust, and the combo of pear and cranberry is one of my favorites this time of year. : )