A delicious alternative to the classic apple pie.

Deliciously ripe pears are tender and sweet, and golden tender slices peek through the crumble on top enticingly.

Here, learn how to make a pear pie, a surefire standout at any festive seasonal celebration.

Southern Living Pear Pie sliced on a plate to serve

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Plus, find out why it’s so delicious cold (a fun perk for leftovers-lovers!)

In a pinch, feel free to use store-bought pie crusts.

Find the full directions below and see step by step images that show you how to make this pie.

Southern Living Pear Pie ingredients

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The weight helps to prevent slumping as it gives the pie crust something to push against.

The par bake helps to prevent a soggy bottom after the pie is loaded up with pear filling.

What Kind of Pears Are Best for Pear Pie?

Southern Living Pear Pie in the pie dish with a slice out

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This recipe calls for Bosc pears.

How Ripe Should Pears Be for Pear Pie?

They should yield a bit when pressed.

Southern Living Pear Pie rolling out the pie dough

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Keep the bag at room temperature.

How Do You Store Pear Pie?

Store pear pie covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Southern Living Pear Pie fitting the pie crust into the pie dish

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Cold Pear Pie?

This is one of the few instances we think cold pie is perhaps better than warm pie.

Even when it’s cold, pear pie’s flavors shine through.

Southern Living Pear Pie filling the pie shell with beans to bake

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The texture remains firm and juicy, and the crust is flaky and tender.

This sounds like a reason enough to eat pie for breakfast.

firm-ripeBosc pears(about3medium[8 oz.

Southern Living Pear Pie crust after baking

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each] pears), peeled and sliced 1/2-in.

Roll Pastry into a 13-inch circle on a lightly floured surface.

Lightly prick bottom of Pastry with a fork.

Southern Living Pear Pie stirring together the filling

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Refrigerate, uncovered, 20 minutes.

Par-bake the crust:

Bake in preheated oven until edges are golden, about 15 minutes.

Remove from oven, and remove pie weights and parchment.

Southern Living Pear Pie filling in pie crust and dotted with butter

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Return to oven, and bake until bottom is golden, about 5 minutes.

Let piecrust cool slightly on a wire rack, about 15 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 350F.

Southern Living Pear Pie making the topping for the pie

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Sprinkle evenly over pear filling.

Let pie cool:

Remove from oven.

Let cool to room temperature on a wire rack, about 2 hours.

Southern Living Pear Pie finishing the topping

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Serve at room temperature with ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Store, covered, in refrigerator up to 3 days.

Southern Living Pear Pie with topping on top before baking

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Southern Living Pear Pie on an aluminum foil lined pan to bake

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Southern Living Pear Pie on a cooling rack after baking

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