Very Cranberry-Pear Pie

ratherbeswimmin''s Note:

A brightly colored pie.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 55 mins
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 (9 1/2 inch) unbaked deep dish pie shells (refrigerated)

Filling

• 3 cups fresh cranberries, picked over for stems
• 1/2 cup sugar, plus
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 large ripe pears, unpeeled, cored, and coarsely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 orange, zest of (finely grated)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

Nut Crumb Topping

• 1 cup walnut halves or 1 cup pecan halves
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces

Directions:

1. In the container of a food processor, combine the cranberries and 1/2 cup sugar; pulse 5 or 6 times until the berries are well chopped.
2. Transfer mixture to a large bowl; mix in the pears, lemon juice, and orange zest; mix well and set aside for 20 minutes.
3. In a small bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon sugar and the cornstarch, cinnamon, and cardamom.
4. Add to the fruit and mix well.
5. Transfer filling to the chilled pie shell; smooth the top with your hands to even it out.
6. Place pie in a 400° oven, center rack; bake for 35 minutes.
7. To make the crumb topping: add nuts, sugars, flour, and salt to the food processor; pulse several times to mix.
8. Scatter the butter over the top and pulse until the mixture looks like medium-fine crumbs; transfer crumbs to a large bowl; then rub crumbs between your fingers to make large, buttery crumbs; refrigerate until ready to use.
9. Remove pie from oven and lower temperature to 375°.
10. Carefully dump the topping in the center of the pie and spread the crumbs evenly over the surface with your hands.
11. Tamp down lightly; return pie to oven, placing it so the part that faced the back of the oven now faces the front.
12. Bake 30-35 more minutes or until the juices bubble thickly around the edge.
13. May be necessary to cover with loosely tented foil during the last 10-15 minutes to keep crumbs from over browning.
14. Place pie on wire rack and let cool at least 1 hour before serving.

Reviews

[Chef 1086570 pigpurple]

Its a homer over the fence! You have to like tart but its a great tart. The secret is the crumb crust. I used about a cup and a half of walnuts which I think was the right move. This is a great holliday pie but believe me its a great pie anytime. Want a different pie thats fantastic. Try this!