Perfectly Exquisite Pear Pie
on Oct 08, 2024
This Perfectly Exquisite Pear Pie is a naturally sweet, plant-based twist on a classic dessert. With a date-oat crust and a spiced pear filling, it’s the perfect healthy treat for any occasion!
Why I Love This Recipe
Hey there, fabulous foodies! It’s Chef AJ, your Queen of Quick and Easy, bringing you another delectable treat—Perfectly Exquisite Pear Pie. What I love most about this recipe is how simple it is to create such a rich and flavorful pie using whole food ingredients. The ripe pears provide a natural sweetness, and paired with a date and oat crust, it’s a dessert you can feel good about indulging in. This recipe comes together quickly, yet feels like a luxurious, homemade treat. It’s perfect for the holidays, but honestly, I enjoy it all year round!
Every year, my brother-in-law sends me a box of Harry and David pears for the holidays, and last time I decided to turn them into this fabulous Pear Pie. This recipe is a variation of my famous Apple Pie That Won’t Make You Die! By simply switching the fruit and adjusting the spices, you create a whole new culinary masterpiece. The key to success here is ensuring your pears are perfectly ripe—hard pears just won’t have the sweetness needed for a dessert. Shhh… don’t tell anyone, but I think I love this version even more than the apple pie!
Key Ingredients
- Gluten-Free Rolled Oats: The oats form the base of the crust, providing a wholesome, slightly nutty flavor while keeping the crust gluten-free.
- Dates: Naturally sweet, dates are used in both the crust and the filling to provide a rich, caramel-like sweetness without any added sugar. They also help bind the crust together.
- Pears: The star of the show, ripe pears provide a juicy, natural sweetness. Make sure to use soft, ripe pears for the best flavor.
- Golden Raisins: These add a burst of sweetness to the filling, complementing the pears beautifully.
- Date Paste: This naturally sweet paste gives the filling its rich, sweet flavor while keeping the dessert completely refined sugar-free.
- Vanilla Bean Powder: Adds a warm, rich depth of flavor that enhances the natural sweetness of the pears and spices.
- Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Cardamom: These spices add warmth and complexity to the pie, turning it into a comforting, aromatic dessert.
- Streusel Topping: Optional, but a delicious way to top off this dessert!
The Process
Start by making the crust. In a food processor fitted with the “S” blade, process the oats, cinnamon, and vanilla powder into a flour-like consistency. Add the pitted dates and process until the dough sticks together and a ball forms. Press the dough evenly into a 9” pie dish to form the crust.
For the filling, core and finely chop your ripe pears. You can use a food processor to save time. Mix the chopped pears in a large bowl with date paste, golden raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and vanilla powder until well combined. Pour the filling evenly over the crust.
For the topping, slice a sweet pear into 16 thin slices and arrange them in a fan-like pattern on top of the filling. Brush the slices with date syrup and sprinkle with coconut if desired. Bake the pie at 325°F for 45 minutes. Let the pie cool in the oven before serving.
Chef’s Tips
- Ripe pears are key for this recipe. Hard pears won’t provide enough sweetness or the soft texture you need for a perfect pie.
- For an extra layer of flavor and texture, try sprinkling my Low-Fat Streusel Topping over the pie before baking.
- Use a food processor to chop the pears quickly and easily.
- The reduced-fat coconut adds a nice crunch and light sweetness but is completely optional.
How to Store Perfectly Exquisite Pear Pie
Store leftover pie in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the pie for longer storage—just thaw it in the fridge when ready to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! While pears work wonderfully in this recipe, you could also try apples or peaches for a different twist.
Absolutely! The coconut is optional and can be left out for a more straightforward pear pie.
You can use maple syrup or another liquid sweetener if you don’t have date syrup on hand.
Serving Suggestion
Serve this pie warm with a dollop of coconut whipped cream or a drizzle of extra date syrup for an extra indulgent touch. It’s also delicious with a scoop of nice cream on the side.
Summary
Perfectly Exquisite Pear Pie is a delicious twist on a classic dessert. With a sweet oat-date crust and a spiced pear filling, this pie is perfect for any occasion. Naturally sweetened and easy to make, it’s a healthier way to satisfy your sweet tooth without compromising on flavor!
If you tried this recipe, I’d love to see your results! Share your culinary creation on social media and tag me. As the Queen of Quick and Easy, nothing makes me happier than seeing how my convenient plant-based recipes inspire your kitchen adventures. Let’s celebrate the love of cooking and enjoy the deliciousness together!
Perfectly Exquisite Pear Pie
Equipment
- Food processor
- 9" Pyrex pie dish
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 cups of gluten-free rolled oats
- 12 ounces of pitted dates, about 2 packed cups
- 1 Tbsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla powder
Filling
- 2 pounds of ripe pears, about 6 cups
- 1 cup golden raisins
- ¾ cup Date Paste
- 1 Tbsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp cardamom
- 1 tsp vanilla powder
Topping
- 1 large sweet pear, cored and thinly cut into 16 slices
- 2 Tbsp date syrup, use code CHEFAJ for 10% off
- ¼ cup unsweetened, reduced-fat shredded coconut, optional
Instructions
Crust
- Place oats, cinnamon and vanilla powder in a dry food processor fitted with the “S” blade and process into a flour-like consistency.
- Add the dates and process again until the dough sticks together and a ball starts to form. Depending on how strong your food processor is, this could take several minutes.
- Press the batter into a 9” Pyrex pie dish.
Filling
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Core the pears and finely chop. I like to use the food processor to save time.
- Place the chopped pears in a large bowl and add the date paste, raisins and spices and mix well. Pour evenly over the crust.
Topping
- Sprinkle the coconut on top of the pie, if using.
- Take the 16 pear slices and place them around the outside edge of the pie filling in a fan-like pattern.
- Brush date syrup over the pear slices and bake for 45 minutes. Let cool in the oven.
