Warm and Spiced Bourbon Pear Crumble Pie You’ll Want All Season

Bourbon Pear Crumble Pie

Introduction

There’s something magical about the flavor of ripe pears baked into a buttery crust, but when you add bourbon and a golden oat crumble? That’s next-level fall baking. This Bourbon Pear Crumble Pie is sweet, subtly spiced, and enhanced with just enough bourbon to deepen the flavor without overpowering the fruit. Whether you’re baking for Thanksgiving, a cozy weekend gathering, or a potluck, this pie is bound to impress.

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Why I Love This Recipe

This pie blends the classic comfort of baked fruit desserts with just a hint of sophistication. Here’s what makes it a favorite:

• Bourbon adds warmth and complexity without being overpowering.
• A buttery homemade crust meets a golden, crunchy oat topping.
• Pears shine with their naturally sweet, juicy flavor—perfect with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Best of all? You can make it ahead of time and it’s just as good (if not better) the next day.

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Ingredients

For the Crust:

• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 3–4 tbsp ice water

For the Filling:

• 6 ripe pears, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 2 tbsp bourbon
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 tbsp cornstarch

For the Crumble Topping:

• ¾ cup rolled oats
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

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Swaps and Notes

• Fruit Options: Try mixing in apples or cranberries for extra texture and flavor.
• No Bourbon? Substitute with vanilla extract or a splash of apple cider.
• Make it Gluten-Free: Use a GF flour blend in both the crust and crumble topping.
• Shortcut: Use store-bought pie crust to save time.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Prep the Oven and Pie Dish

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9-inch pie dish.

2️⃣ Make the Crust

In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough just comes together.

Shape the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.

3️⃣ Roll and Shape

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough and fit it into your prepared pie dish. Trim and crimp the edges as desired.

4️⃣ Prepare the Filling

In a large bowl, toss sliced pears with bourbon, lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cornstarch. Pour the filling evenly into the prepared crust.

5️⃣ Make the Crumble Topping

In a bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the pears.

6️⃣ Bake the Pie

Place the pie on a baking sheet and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling.

Let the pie cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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Tips for Success

• Use ripe but firm pears so they hold their shape while baking.
• Keep your butter cold in both the crust and topping for flakiness.
• Chill the dough to prevent shrinkage in the oven.
• Tent with foil during baking if the crumble browns too quickly.

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Serving Suggestions and Pairings

This pie is perfect served on its own, but even better with:

• A scoop of vanilla bean or cinnamon ice cream
• Fresh whipped cream with a hint of maple syrup
• A drizzle of caramel sauce

And for a full fall dessert spread, pair it with:

• Caramel Apple Pie Cookies
• Pumpkin Delight Dessert
• Easy Pumpkin Spice Muffins

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Storage and Leftover Tips

• Refrigerate leftover pie tightly covered for up to 4 days.
• Reheat slices in the oven or microwave—add a little foil if warming the whole pie.
• Freeze baked pie (wrapped tightly) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

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More Recipes You’ll Love

For more cozy bakes and fall flavors, try:

• Pumpkin Delight Dessert
• Caramel Apple Pie Cookies
• Easy Pumpkin Spice Muffins
• Old School No-Bake Cookies
• Peanut Butter Brownies

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Final Thoughts

This Bourbon Pear Crumble Pie brings together everything you love about fall baking—tender fruit, warm spices, buttery crust, and just enough bourbon to make it special. Whether it’s the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving table or a treat for a chilly weekend, this pie is one you’ll be proud to serve (and definitely sneak seconds of).

Baked it? Snap a pic and tag us! Follow Chef Maniac for more seasonally inspired bakes, easy comfort food, and drool-worthy desserts.