Fresh Pear Pie

Ingredients

• 1 recipe homemade pie crust
• 7 cups bartlett pears (peeled, cored, and sliced 1/2 inch thick)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
• salted caramel sauce
• 1 large egg + 1 tablespoon water
• turbinado sugar (optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Position oven rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F.

2. 2

   Place pears in a large mixing bowl. Add the lemon juice, sugar, flour, and spices. Gently mix together and place in the fridge for 30 minutes.

3. 3

   Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until 12-inches in diameter. Transfer to a 9-inch pie dish.

4. 4

   Remove pears from the mixing bowl and arrange in the pie dish so that there are as few gaps as possible. Discard the juices at the bottom of the bowl.

5. 5

   Roll out the second round of dough to 12-inches in diameter. Place on top of the pear filled pie dish and make 5 slits with a knife. OR make a lattice top by cutting the dough into 3/4 inch thick strips and weave them together on top of the pie.

6. 6

   Cut off excess dough 1 inch from the edge of the pie plate. Pinch the top dough with the bottom and then flute the edges.

7. 7

   Whisk together the egg and water and brush over the dough. (Discard remaining) Sprinkle with the turbinado sugar.

8. 8

   Place pie on a baking sheet (in case filling spills out) and bake for 25 minutes, lower temperature to 375 degrees F and bake an additional 20-30 minutes until golden. (Drape foil over the top or add a pie shield if top begins to brown too much.)

9. 9

   Cool on a wire rack. Let rest 2-4 hours for filling to set up.