This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our privacy policy.

Pie. I’ve always had mixed feelings about this classic dessert. Ya see, I’m not one to swoon over warm fruit. However, I do love a good coconut cream pie and have been known to enthusiastically indulge in the banana cream variety.

When brainstorming ideas for this year’ last Holiday Recipe Exchange, I knew I wanted to step out of my specifically-cream-pie-loving box and step into the realm of fruit. But, not just any fruit pie would do – I wanted it to be festive and full of cozy winter flavors.

I remembered bookmarking a Pear-Cranberry Galette from Simply Recipes and after briefly reviewing the recipe this weekend, I knew it would be perfect for this pie themed recipe exchange.

Roasted Bosc pears blend perfectly with the sweetness of vanilla sugar and the tartness of fresh cranberries to create a dessert that will be just different enough to stand out from the standard apple pies, but familiar enough to please all the traditionalists at your table. Adding in a little ginger, cinnamon and cardamom gave these adorable pies a seasonal flair that would be perfect finish to any holiday party.

Join Katie and I this week in sharing your favorite Pie Recipes for a chance to win a Personal Pie Maker from Breville. Be sure to check out her recipe for Individual Chicken and Vegetable Pot Pies.

I want to thank each and every one of you that participated in the 2011 Holiday Recipe Exchange. We truly appreciate your contributions and have enjoyed browsing your incredible recipes.

Pear and Cranberry Individual Pies

Ingredients:

2 pounds (about 4) Bosc firm pears, peeled, cored, cubed into 1-inch pieces
1/3 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled, and finely minced
1/4 cup granulated vanilla sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 9-inch pie crusts
coarse sugar, optional

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a roasting pan with aluminum foil.

2. In a large bowl, combine the pears, cranberries, ginger, vanilla sugar, cardamom and cinnamon, tossing to coat evenly. Spoon mixture onto prepared pan and spread into an even layer. Dot the top with butter.

3. Roast for 1 hour or until the pears are tender when pierced with a fork, and starting to get brown and caramelized around the edges. Remove from oven and let cool.

4. Use a slotted spoon to remove the pears from the roasting pan, and place in a large bowl. Stir in almond extract.

5. Prepare pastry bases and tops according to manufacturer’s directions. Divide filling amongst the four pie wells.

6. Close lid and cook for 8-10 minutes or until pastry is golden brown.

7. Remove the pies with a plastic heat proof spatula and cool slightly.

8. If desired, before serving, lightly brush the tops of each pie with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse sugar.

Notes:

If you do not have a Breville Personal Pie Maker, head over to Simply Recipes for the recipe for a full size galette.

Source: My Baking Addiction adapted from Simply Recipes

All images and text ©

Follow Jamie on Instagram. We love to see what you're baking from MBA! Be sure to tag @jamiemba and use the hashtag #mbarecipes!

How To Participate

For a chance to win a Breville Personal Pie Maker valued at valued at $99.00:

  1. Write and post a recipe on your blog featuring PIES.
  2. Include “Come join the fun at the My Baking Addiction and GoodLife Eats Holiday Recipe Swap sponsored by Breville” in your blog post.
  3. No blog? Just leave your recipe in the comments section.
  4. Add your link to the widget on either GoodLife Eats or My Baking Addiction (we have the same widget code, so only add it on one site).
  5. Submit your post before December 26, 11:59 PM.
  6. Anyone can participate in the link up, but the prizes will ship to US addresses only.
  7. More detailed info are available here.

Link Up Your Recipes:

Love any of the recipes featured in today’s Holiday Recipe Exchange? If so, be sure to to use the Ziplist Web Recipe Clipper to add your holiday favorites to your online recipe box.


‘); // ]]>

Prizes provided by Breville

Recipe Theme Schedule:

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

20 Comments

  1. Mollie says:

    This is probably the easiest pie I have ever made. It’s a summer time favorite.

    Easy Key Lime Pie

    Ingredients
    1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
    3 cups sweetened condensed milk
    1/2 cup sour cream
    3/4 cup key lime juice
    1 tablespoon grated lime zest

    Directions
    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
    2. In a medium bowl, combine condensed milk, sour cream, lime juice, and lime rind. Mix well and pour into graham cracker crust.
    3. Bake in preheated oven for 5 to 8 minutes, until tiny pinhole bubbles burst on the surface of pie. DO NOT BROWN! Chill pie thoroughly before serving. Garnish with lime slices and whipped cream if desired.

  2. Laura Adams says:

    Oooooh my goodness… perfection.
    I absolutely LOVE pie! I’m all about some warm fruit!

  3. angela@spinachtiger says:

    I’ve had the idea to make the very same thing this season, but more hand held. I love the sugar on top and the recipe.

  4. Tara @ The Butter Dish says:

    This is delightful!!! I simply ADORE portion sizes!! The best thing about individual pies is you don’t over eat…and don’t have to share! PERFECT!

  5. Fred @ Savorique says:

    You are so correct, pear-cranberry is a very nice fruit change from the oh so common apple while still preserving tradition at the table.

  6. Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says:

    What an awesome idea! I love this! I happen to have a pie crust in the fridge and I already know what I’m going to make! Your pie looks gorgeous!!!

  7. Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says:

    These are beautiful, I love the little sparkle from the sugar.

  8. Lydia says:

    I LOVE this recipe. I make it all the time. I find it to be so much better than actual pie. I have had this recipe for many years, so I actually have no idea where I got it! :)

    Crumbly Apple Pie

    Crust
    1 cup all-purpose flour
    ½ teaspoon salt
    1/3 cup chilled butter
    ¼ cup ice water
    Filling
    7 medium apples, peeled, cored and very thinly sliced
    ½ cup sugar
    1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    ¼ teaspoon salt
    Topping
    ¾ packed brown sugar
    ¾ cup all-purpose flour
    ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    1/3 cup chilled butter, cut into pieces

    To prepare crust, in a medium bowl, mix together flour and salt. Using a pastry blender, or two knives, cut butter into flour mixture until coarse crumbs form.
    Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork, until dough forms. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.

    Place oven rack in lowest position. Preheat oven to 400°F.

    On a floured surface, using a floured rolling pin, roll dough into a 12-inch circle. Fit into a 9-inch pie pan. Trim excess dough, leaving a 1-inch over hang; to make a decorate edge.

    To prepare filling, mix together all ingredients. Spoon into crust.

    To prepare topping, in a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, flour, and nutmeg. Using a pastry blender, or two knives, cut butter into brown sugar mixture until coarse crumbs form. Sprinkle apples evenly with topping.

    Bake pie until topping is lightly browned and filling is bubbly, 35 minutes. If pie is over browning, cover loosely with tin foil. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

  9. Ann P. says:

    SO beautiful! I love the coarse sugar on top, and of course, I LOVE pears and cranberries. Your photography is so warm and Christmas-like, too! Just lovely. :)

  10. Natalie @ Cooking for My Kids says:

    Oh, my! Your pies are just beautiful!