Paper Bag Pear Pie
If you’re not so familiar with the idea of a pear pie, think of it just like an apple pie. A fresh pear pie is made in the same way that you make an apple pie. Pears are peeled, cored and sliced. They’re tossed with sugar and spices and baked into a pie crust. In this paper bag pear pie recipe, it’s topped with sugary crumbles. And it’s baked unconventionally inside of a brown paper bag!
Just like an apple pie, the pears soften in the baking process. They’re wonderful and tender, and they taste delicious combined with sugar and nutmeg. If you’ve never tried baking a pear pie, it’s time to try it! And this Paper Bag Pear Pie is the perfect recipe to start with. Apple season also happens to be prime pear season. You’ll find the best pears in the fall.
What are the best kind pears to use for baking?
Bosc and Anjou varieties are tops at holding their shape and texture in baking recipes. In a pinch, Bartlett pears work fine, too. I used Bartlett pears for this paper bag pear pie, and it turned out great! Avoid using Comice pears for pie. Their tender, juicy flesh tends to fall apart when used in pies.
Why would you want to bake a pie in a paper bag?
It turns out that baking a pie in a brown paper bag is an old fashioned method. It has been around for years! A pie baked in a paper bag turns out golden brown, the crust is a bit more flaky, and the filling cooks perfectly. Oh, and the pie drippings that sometimes ooze over the side of the pie and mess up your oven… that doesn’t happen with a paper bag baked pie. The paper bag takes on any (possible) bubbling overflow mess of this Paper Bag Pear Pie! The paper bag won’t catch on fire if you don’t let it touch the top of the oven. I take one of my racks out when baking this pie. When it’s time to bake, you put the pie pan in a brown bag and sit it on a cookie sheet. Roll the end up and staple shut.
So if you’re already thinking about pies for Thanksgiving, you might consider adding this Paper Bag Pear Pie to the menu. It adds fun discussion to the dessert table when you get to share how this pie was baked! If you’re looking for more recipes to make with pears, you might like to try my Pear Bread or this Spiced Pear Cake. Autumn Spice Pear Cobbler, Slow Cooker Spiced Pear Butter and Pear and Ginger Muffins are great recipes starring pears too!
