Pear-Almond Slab Pie

I decided to make a slab pie as a dessert for friends we had invited over one night, using some ripe pears I had on hand. But since we needed only six servings (instead of 24 servings), I used only enough ingredients to make the equivalent of one pie to make 6 servings.

Step 1. I started by rolling out a Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crust to an 11-inch square. Then I cut ½-inch wide strips of crust from each side of the dough square and brushed the edges of dough with water before placing the dough strips along each edge to create border.

Step 2. I wanted more flavor than just a plain fruit pie and so made a frangipane (almond cream) mixture for the filling. In the photo below, I've spooned the almond mixture (ground almonds, flour, sugar, butter egg, vanilla and almond extract) over the crust. Before spreading the almond mixture to the corners of the crust, I fluted the crust edges--just couldn't resist.

Step 3. Slice 4 small pears or 3 large pears into thin slices.

Step 4. Arrange pear slices over almond mixture. Sprinkle remaining sliced almonds and sugar over the top. Bake for 25 to 28 minutes. 

Here is a one serving of the Pear-Almond Slab Pie. It was delicious but looked a little plain and so I made some brown sugar ice cream to serve with it.

 

Pear-Almond Slab Pie

Prep Time:
Start to Finish:

6 servings

1 Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed on box
1 package (2.5 oz) sliced almonds (about 2/3 cup)
1 tablespoon Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
¼ cup sugar
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1 egg
½ teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
4 small or 3 large ripe pears, peeled, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons sugar
3 cups ice cream, if desired

Heat oven to 400°F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Remove pie crust form pouch; unroll on parchment paper. Roll to 11-inch square. Cut ½-inch wide strips of crust from each side of square. Brush edges of dough with water; place dough strips along each edge to create border. Crimp edges of crust with fingers, if desired.

Reserve 2 tablespoons almonds. In food processor bowl with metal blade, place remaining almonds, flour and ¼ cup sugar. Cover; process until almonds are finely ground. Add butter, egg, vanilla, salt and almond extract. Cover; process until a smooth paste forms. Spread almond mixture over crust.

Arrange pear slices over almond mixture in 3 or 4 rows. Sprinkle reserved almonds over pears. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons sugar over top. Bake 25 to 28 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

 

Tips:
Pears must be very ripe for the best flavor and appearance. If they are not ripe enough, they will brown while baking and will have a dry texture.

Serve with ice cream. The ice cream, in the photo below, is Brown Sugar Ice Cream that I made to serve with the pie.