Apple Pear Pie

Apple Pear Pie is a delightful twist on the classic apple pie, combining the crisp sweetness of apples with the juicy, aromatic flavor of pears. This dessert captures the essence of autumn in every bite, with a perfectly flaky crust encasing a filling that’s spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of vanilla. The blend of apples and pears creates a dynamic texture, where the apples retain a slight bite while the pears melt into a luscious, sweet layer. Topped with a buttery lattice crust or a crumbly streusel, this pie is a comforting treat that’s perfect for holiday gatherings, cozy dinners, or just enjoying with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on a chilly day.

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water

For the Filling:

• 3 large apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• 3 large pears, peeled, cored, and sliced (such as Bosc or Bartlett)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

For the Egg Wash:

• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp milk

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Crust:
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar. Add the chilled, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
   • Gradually add ice water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough begins to come together. Divide the dough into two equal portions, shape each into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
2. Prepare the Filling:
   • In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples and pears. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Toss the fruit to coat evenly.
3. Assemble the Pie:
   • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
   • On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of the dough into a circle large enough to fit a 9-inch pie dish. Transfer the dough to the pie dish, gently pressing it into the edges.
   • Pour the apple and pear filling into the crust, spreading it out evenly. Dot the filling with small pieces of butter.
   • Roll out the second disk of dough and place it over the filling. You can make a lattice crust by cutting the dough into strips and weaving them over the filling or simply cover with the whole rolled-out dough. Trim any excess dough and crimp the edges to seal.
4. Apply the Egg Wash:
   • In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. Brush the top of the pie crust with the egg wash to give it a golden color when baked. Cut a few small slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
5. Bake the Pie:
   • Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any drips and bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, cover the edges with aluminum foil.
6. Cool and Serve:
   • Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours to allow the filling to set. Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Enjoy this Apple Pear Pie as a delicious, comforting dessert that brings a taste of fall to your table!