If you’re on the lookout for a dessert that feels like a warm hug on a plate, you’ll absolutely adore this Dutch Pear Pie with Spiced Caramel Sauce Recipe. Imagine tender, juicy pears nestled in a buttery crust, topped with a crunchy crumb topping, and drizzled generously with a luscious caramel sauce infused with cozy spices. Every bite is a perfect balance of sweetness, texture, and warmth that makes this pie a standout during the fall or holiday season. Whether you’re sharing it with family or friends, this pie promises to bring smiles and seconds to the table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these straightforward, everyday ingredients ensures a pie bursting with flavor and just the right texture. Each component plays an essential role from providing the fruity base and spice warmth to that irresistible crumbly finish and silky sauce.
- Pie crust: A 9-inch unbaked crust forms the buttery, flaky foundation of our Dutch pear pie.
- Pears: Use 5 to 6 firm Bartlett or Bosc pears, peeled and sliced, for perfect sweetness and tenderness.
- Lemon juice: Keeps the pears fresh and bright, preventing browning.
- Granulated sugar: Adds essential sweetness to both the filling and caramel sauce.
- Brown sugar: Brings a deep, molasses-like richness enhancing the crumb and pie filling flavors.
- All-purpose flour: Thickens the pear juices and creates the crumb topping’s structure.
- Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt: These spices create a warm, comforting aromatic profile essential for the pie’s fall feel.
- Cold unsalted butter: Cubed and added to the crumb topping for delightful crispness and richness.
- Heavy cream and unsalted butter: Combined to make the velvety spiced caramel sauce.
- Ground cloves and pinch of salt: Small touches that awaken the caramel with subtle complexity.
How to Make Dutch Pear Pie with Spiced Caramel Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Pear Filling
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Toss the peeled and sliced pears with lemon juice to prevent discoloration and add a subtle tang. In a separate bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Sprinkle this spice and sugar mixture over the pears and toss gently to coat every slice with those inviting flavors.
Step 2: Assemble the Pie
Transfer the beautifully spiced pear slices into your unbaked pie crust in a 9-inch pie dish. This is where the magic begins: the pears nestle in the buttery crust, ready to bake into tender sweetness.
Step 3: Make the Crumb Topping
In a bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter and cut it in using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This crumb topping will provide that perfect crunchy contrast against the soft pears. Sprinkle it evenly over the pie.
Step 4: Bake the Pie
Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, until the pears are tender and the crumb topping is a gorgeous golden brown. Keep an eye on the crust edges, and if they brown too quickly, cover them with foil to prevent burning. After baking, cool the pie slightly to let everything set and the flavors meld perfectly.
Step 5: Prepare the Spiced Caramel Sauce
While the pie is baking, it’s time to whisk together the star sauce. Combine granulated sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Let it cook without stirring until the sugar dissolves and turns a deep amber color—this takes about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat carefully and whisk in the heavy cream, butter, cinnamon, cloves, and a pinch of salt until smooth and silky. Let the caramel cool slightly before serving.
How to Serve Dutch Pear Pie with Spiced Caramel Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
Dressing up your pie is easy and rewarding. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream adds creaminess that beautifully cuts through the caramel’s richness. A light dusting of cinnamon on top can bring an extra aromatic hint that pairs wonderfully with the pie’s spice notes.
Side Dishes
This Dutch Pear Pie is a fabulous finale to any meal, especially when paired with simple sides like a fresh green salad or roasted nuts for texture contrast. For an indulgent spread, serve alongside a warm chai or spiced tea to complement the pie’s warm flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your Dutch Pear Pie with Spiced Caramel Sauce Recipe into a showstopper by serving pie slices on elegant plates drizzled generously with the caramel sauce. For a festive touch, sprinkle crushed toasted pecans or chopped crystallized ginger over the caramel. You can also serve mini individual pies or tartlets using the same recipe for personal touches at gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your pie, wrap any leftovers tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors remain vibrant, and the crust holds up nicely for 3 to 4 days, making it an excellent option for make-ahead desserts or sweet treats the next day.
Freezing
If you intend to save some pie for even longer, this recipe freezes beautifully. Wrap the cooled pie tightly with foil and plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn. It should maintain its quality for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to enjoy that fresh-baked taste all over again.
Reheating
To warm your leftover Dutch Pear Pie with Spiced Caramel Sauce Recipe, place individual slices on a baking sheet and heat in a 325°F (160°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes. Gently reheat caramel sauce in a microwave or over low heat on the stove, stirring often to keep it smooth and luscious.
FAQs
Can I use other types of pears for this pie?
Absolutely! Bartlett and Bosc pears are recommended for their balance of sweetness and firmness, but Anjou or Comice pears can also work well. Just make sure they are ripe but still hold their shape after baking.
Is it possible to make the spiced caramel sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the caramel sauce up to 3 days in advance. Store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator and gently reheat before drizzling it over the pie.
How do I prevent the pie crust edges from burning?
Cover the edges of your pie crust with foil or a pie shield about halfway through baking. This protects the crust from over-browning while allowing the filling to finish cooking perfectly.
Can I use a pre-made pie crust?
Certainly! Using store-bought pie crust saves time and still results in a delicious pie. Just make sure to follow the baking instructions and watch the crust for doneness.
What can I substitute if I don’t have all the spices?
The warm spice combination in this recipe is key, but if you’re missing one, simply omit it or replace with a pinch of allspice or pumpkin pie spice for a similarly cozy flavor.
Final Thoughts
Making this Dutch Pear Pie with Spiced Caramel Sauce Recipe is like creating a little slice of comfort and celebration all in one. The way the tender pears, crunchy topping, and rich caramel sauce harmonize is just incredible. It’s a dessert that invites smiles, calls for seconds, and makes any gathering feel just a bit more special. I encourage you to try this recipe soon—you’ll be amazed at how simple ingredients come together into something truly unforgettable.
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Dutch Pear Pie with Spiced Caramel Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Dutch-Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful Dutch pear pie featuring tender spiced pears under a buttery crumb topping, finished with a luscious spiced caramel sauce. This cozy fall dessert combines warm spices and rich flavors, perfect for holiday gatherings or any special occasion.
Ingredients
For the Pie:
- 1 9-inch unbaked pie crust
- 5–6 ripe but firm pears (such as Bartlett or Bosc), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Crumb Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
For the Spiced Caramel Sauce:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Pear Filling: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, toss the peeled, cored, and sliced pears with lemon juice to prevent browning. In a separate small bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, and salt. Sprinkle this mixture over the pears and toss well to evenly coat all slices.
- Assemble the Pie: Transfer the coated pear slices into the unbaked 9-inch pie crust, spreading them out evenly.
- Make the Crumb Topping: In another bowl, mix together flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold, cubed unsalted butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the pears in the pie shell.
- Bake the Pie: Place the pie on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the pears are tender and the topping has turned a golden brown. To prevent the crust edges from over-browning, cover them with foil halfway through baking if necessary. Once baked, remove the pie and allow it to cool slightly before serving.
- Prepare the Spiced Caramel Sauce: While the pie is baking, combine granulated sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Let the sugar dissolve and cook without stirring until it reaches a deep amber color, which should take about 5 to 7 minutes. Carefully whisk in the heavy cream, unsalted butter, cinnamon, ground cloves, and a pinch of salt. Stir the sauce until it is smooth and then remove it from the heat. Allow the sauce to cool slightly before serving.
- Serve: Drizzle the warm spiced caramel sauce generously over slices of the pie. For an extra indulgence, serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- This pie is especially perfect for fall seasons and holiday celebrations.
- The spiced caramel sauce can be prepared in advance and gently reheated before serving.
- Pair with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream to enhance the dessert experience.
