If you’re looking to wow your friends and family with a dessert that balances the natural sweetness of pears with indulgent, warm spices and a luscious sauce, then the Dutch Pear Pie with Spiced Caramel Sauce Recipe is your new best friend. This pie features tender, ripe pears nestled in a buttery crust, topped with a crunchy, oatmeal-infused crumble, all smothered in a spiced caramel sauce that’s just irresistible. Every bite offers the perfect harmony of textures and flavors, capturing the cozy spirit of fall and making any gathering instantly special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, high-quality ingredients is key to mastering this Dutch Pear Pie with Spiced Caramel Sauce Recipe. Each component contributes to the pie’s inviting texture, comforting flavor, and golden appearance, making every ingredient a star in its own right.
- Basic Pie Dough: Use a homemade or store-bought crust that’s flaky and buttery to provide a sturdy but tender base for the filling.
- All-purpose flour: Essential for the crumble topping to add structure and a subtle bite.
- Old-fashioned oats: Adds a slightly chewy texture and rustic look to the crumble.
- Light brown sugar: Gives the crumble and sauce a rich molasses depth and natural sweetness.
- Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Cold unsalted butter: Critical for both the crust and the crumble topping to create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the pear filling so that it’s bright but not overpowering.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the filling, ensuring it isn’t watery after baking.
- Ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice: These warm spices infuse the filling and sauce with autumnal aromas and cozy flavor notes.
- Firm-ripe pears: The star of the dish—choose pears that are ripe but hold their shape when sliced.
- Fresh lemon juice: Adds brightness and prevents the pears from browning.
- Pear brandy: A boozy twist that lifts the flavor profile with sophisticated warmth.
- Heavy cream: Creates a velvety smooth spiced caramel sauce to drizzle generously over each slice.
- Pure vanilla extract: Adds a fragrant sweetness that complements the caramel perfectly.
How to Make Dutch Pear Pie with Spiced Caramel Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Pie Dough
Start by rolling your basic pie dough into a 13-inch circle on a floured surface. Fit it carefully into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate, trimming the edges to leave about an inch outside the lip. Fold the edges under and crimp to create an inviting, rustic border. Pop it in the freezer for 20 minutes to firm up the crust, which helps it hold up beautifully during baking.
Step 2: Mix the Crumble Topping
While the crust chills, whisk together the flour, oats, light brown sugar, and kosher salt in a bowl. Add the cold, cubed butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs dotted with pea-sized butter chunks. This topping will bake golden brown, adding crunch and texture contrasts to the tender fruit beneath.
Step 3: Prepare the Pear Filling
In a large mixing bowl, combine granulated sugar, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice. Toss in the sliced pears, fresh lemon juice, and pear brandy, stirring gently to coat every slice evenly. This spiced mixture is where the magic begins—each pear will soak up the warm flavors that make this pie truly memorable.
Step 4: Assemble the Pie
Pour your pear filling into the chilled pie crust, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the crumble topping over the pears, breaking it into clumps as you go for varied texture. This layered combination promises bursts of juicy fruit and crisp topping in every slice.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake the pie until the topping is beautifully browned and the filling is bubbling through, about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Keep an eye on it toward the end so the edges don’t over-brown. The scent wafting through your kitchen will be completely irresistible.
Step 6: Make the Spiced Caramel Sauce
As the pie cools slightly, bring the heavy cream and light brown sugar to a gentle simmer in a saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in pear brandy, butter, vanilla extract, kosher salt, and the warm spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice. This luscious sauce will take your Dutch Pear Pie with Spiced Caramel Sauce Recipe from fantastic to unforgettable.
How to Serve Dutch Pear Pie with Spiced Caramel Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
Add a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to each slice for a creamy contrast. Toasted pecans or crushed walnuts sprinkled on top will add an extra nutty crunch that complements both the crumble and caramel sauce.
Side Dishes
This pie shines as a dessert on its own but pairs delightfully with hot spiced tea or a full-bodied coffee. For an elegant brunch, serve alongside a fresh green salad tossed with citrus vinaigrette to balance sweetness with brightness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming twist, bake individual Dutch pear pies in mini tart pans to serve as personal desserts. Or, drizzle the spiced caramel sauce in creative patterns on the plate before placing the pie slice on top for a restaurant-quality presentation that will wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover leftover pie tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making the next day’s slice even more delicious.
Freezing
This pie freezes well either before or after baking. Wrap it securely in foil and place it in an airtight container. Frozen pie can last up to 2 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Reheating
Reheat slices gently in a low oven (around 300°F) for 10-15 minutes to warm through without drying out. You can also microwave individual portions for about 30 seconds if you’re in a hurry, but oven reheating preserves the crispness of the topping best.
FAQs
Can I use other fruits instead of pears?
Absolutely! While pears are classic, apples or firm peaches can work beautifully with the spices and crumble topping. Just adjust cooking time slightly based on fruit firmness.
Is there a dairy-free option for the caramel sauce?
Yes, swap the butter and heavy cream with coconut cream and a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil for a luscious, dairy-free caramel sauce that’s just as tasty.
Can I make the pie dough from scratch?
Definitely. Homemade pie dough adds a lovely rustic touch and allows you to control ingredients. Use cold butter and minimal handling for the flakiest crust.
Why is the brandy important in the recipe?
Pear brandy adds depth and a subtle warmth that enhances the natural pear flavor, elevating the whole pie experience beyond typical fruit desserts.
How do I prevent the crust edges from burning?
Use a pie crust shield or cover the edges with foil once they reach a golden color early in baking to protect from overbrowning while the filling cooks fully.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like sharing a slice of this Dutch Pear Pie with Spiced Caramel Sauce Recipe with someone special. It’s a celebration of textures, aromas, and flavors that warm the heart and fill your home with comfort. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a weekend treat, or a special occasion, I promise this pie will become a favorite you come back to again and again. So roll up your sleeves, grab those pears, and treat yourself to something truly delicious today!
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Dutch Pear Pie with Spiced Caramel Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 to 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Dutch Pear Pie features a tender, flaky crust filled with spiced, ripe pears and topped with a buttery oat crumble. Completed with a rich spiced caramel sauce infused with pear brandy and warm fall spices, this pie is perfect for autumn celebrations and cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
Pie Crust
- 1/2 recipe Basic Pie Dough (store-bought or homemade)
Crumble Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
Pear Filling
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 2 1/2 pounds firm-ripe pears (about 5 medium), cored and sliced 1/4-inch thick (7 cups)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon pear brandy
Spiced Caramel Sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons pear brandy
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
- Pinch ground allspice
Instructions
- Prepare Pie Dough: Roll the pie dough into a 13-inch circle on a floured surface. Carefully fit it into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate, trim excess dough to 1 inch, then fold the edges under and crimp to form a neat border. Place the crust in the freezer for 20 minutes to chill.
- Make Crumble Topping: Combine flour, oats, light brown sugar, kosher salt, and cold butter pieces in a bowl. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend until the mixture forms coarse crumbs with some pea-sized clumps. Set aside.
- Prepare Pear Filling: In a large bowl, mix granulated sugar, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice. Add the sliced pears, lemon juice, and pear brandy. Gently toss everything to evenly coat the pear slices with the spiced sugar mixture.
- Assemble Pie: Transfer the pear filling into the chilled pie crust, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the crumble topping over the pears, breaking it into clumps as preferred for texture and coverage.
- Bake the Pie: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the pie on the middle rack for about 1 hour and 10 minutes or until the pears are tender and the crumble topping is golden brown. If the crust edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil or a pie shield during baking.
- Make Spiced Caramel Sauce: While the pie bakes, combine light brown sugar and heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat.
- Finish Caramel Sauce: Stir in the pear brandy, butter pieces, vanilla extract, kosher salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and a pinch of allspice into the caramel sauce until smooth and well combined.
- Serve: Once the pie has cooled slightly, drizzle the warm spiced caramel sauce over each slice before serving for an added burst of rich flavor and warmth.
- Enjoy: Enjoy this decadent pear pie with its warm spices and luscious caramel, perfect for any fall celebration or holiday dessert.
Notes
- You can make the pie dough ahead of time and keep it refrigerated or frozen until ready to use.
- Firm-ripe pears like Bosc or Anjou work best for the filling as they hold shape well during baking.
- If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, substitute pear brandy with additional lemon juice or pear juice.
- Let the pie cool for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set properly.
- Leftover pie can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
