9 pear pie recipes

This is the second recipe I'll post tonight--promised it to AH earlier tonight. My mother found this recipe 35 or so years ago in a magazine and it has become a family favorite. For years she only made it at Thanksgiving until I took over the baking reigns in the family; now she makes it more often especially when my brother, Lewis, is going to be in.

Cranberry pear tart with a walnut-cinnamon shortbread crust, tangy cranberry-pear filling, and golden meringue lattice top. A stunning holiday dessert with three distinct layers.

Old-fashioned homemade apple pie with a flaky oil crust, McIntosh apples spiced with cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg, and a hot vanilla glaze brushed over while the pie is still warm. The glaze is what sets this version apart.

Baked Brie with a homemade cranberry-pear compote, honey, currants, and pumpkin pie spice. A warm, bubbly holiday appetizer served with melba rounds or sliced fruit.

Vegan shepherd's pie with veggie burger crumbles instead of lamb, topped with mashed potatoes folded with green peas and red bell pepper. Plant-based comfort food classic.

Brandy-flambéed chicken baked with fresh apples, pears, sliced mushrooms, and apple wine until tender and saucy. An elegant fall dinner that comes together in just 35 minutes. Serve over couscous or rice.

Lemon meringue pie sweetened with Fruit Sweet (peach, pear, pineapple juice concentrate) instead of refined sugar. Tangy lemon curd under vanilla meringue with no cane sugar in sight.

Vegetarian mincemeat made with fresh pears, dried fruit, candied cherries, almonds, and a splash of whiskey. No suet needed. Spiced with allspice, nutmeg, and ginger for traditional Christmas mince pies.

Jello skating pond dessert: blue jello set in a clear pie plate, topped with whipped cream snow banks, gummy bear skaters, and a wafer roll log. A winter craft dessert kids can build themselves.