Imagine a dessert that captures the essence of fall in every single bite - a heavenly pie that combines the sweet, tender fruits of the season with a crunchy, buttery praline topping that will make your guests swoon! This Apple Pear Praline Pie isn't just a dessert; it's a culinary experience that transforms simple ingredients into a masterpiece of flavor and texture that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 1 pie
Ingredients
- 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
- 3 cups apples, peeled and sliced
- 2 cups pears, peeled and sliced
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that the pie will bake evenly and achieve a golden crust.
- If using a store-bought pie crust, remove it from the packaging and place it in a 9-inch pie pan. If making a homemade crust, roll it out and fit it into the pie pan, trimming any excess dough hanging over the edges.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples and pears. Make sure to peel and slice the fruits evenly to ensure consistent cooking.
- Add the brown sugar, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the fruit mixture. Toss everything together gently until the fruits are well-coated with the dry ingredients. This will help thicken the filling as it bakes.
- Pour the fruit mixture into the prepared pie crust, spreading it out evenly. Make sure to distribute the apples and pears so that every slice will have a good balance of fruit.
- In a separate bowl, mix the chopped pecans with the melted butter. Stir until the pecans are fully coated with the butter.
- Sprinkle the buttered pecans evenly over the top of the fruit mixture in the pie crust. This will create a delicious praline topping as it bakes.
- Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. You may want to cover the edges of the crust with aluminum foil if they brown too quickly.
- Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. This will help the filling set and make it easier to slice.
- Serve the Apple Pear Praline Pie warm or at room temperature, optionally topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra treat.
Tips
- Choose firm, fresh apples and pears for the best texture and flavor. Varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Bosc pears work wonderfully.
- For an extra flaky crust, keep your pie dough cold and handle it minimally. Chill it for at least 30 minutes before rolling out.
- To prevent a soggy bottom, consider sprinkling a thin layer of ground almonds or breadcrumbs on the crust before adding the fruit filling.
- Use a mix of spices if you want to experiment - a pinch of cardamom or ginger can add depth to the traditional cinnamon and nutmeg.
- For a professional-looking finish, brush the top crust with an egg wash before baking to achieve a beautiful golden sheen.
- Let the pie cool completely to allow the filling to set, making it easier to slice and serve perfectly.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 52g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 19g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 30mg
