Pears are one of my favorite succulent winter fruits known for their distinct shape and texture. Need I mention their health benefits, robust fiber content, or versatility? They can be added to salads or stews, served as a sweet companion to meat or cheese, or baked into a delightful crostada, galette, tart, or in this case, a pie – pear and marzipan pie!
This pear and marzipan pie’s pear filling is only slightly sweetened in order to balance the almond extract-enriched, sugary marzipan which lays atop it. With its flaky, buttery crust, tender filling, and marzipan topping, this pear and marzipan pie will chase your winter blues away.
ingredients
for the crust
- 1 cup flour
- Pinch of salt
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter, cut into ½ inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon apple cider or white vinegar
for the filling
- 3 pears, sliced
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
for the marzipan topping
- 1 cup blanched almond meal or flour
- ½ cup confectioners sugar
- 1 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons corn syrup
- Pinch of salt
crust steps
Place the flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl and mix to combine. In a separate bowl or measuring cup, combine the water and the vinegar and set aside.
Sprinkle the cubes of butter into the flour mixture and toss them around. Pinch and press the flour into the pieces of butter until it is combined. The dough will be shaggy and there will be various-sized pieces of butter. Slowly drizzle in the water and vinegar mixture and continue to squeeze the dough together until it forms a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
filling steps
Thinly slice the pears and add them to a bowl. Cover them in granulated sugar and mix. Then add the lemon juice, lemon zest, ginger, and salt. Mix in the cornstarch. Set aside.
marizpan topping steps
Place the almond flour or meal, confectioners sugar, extract, corn syrup, and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to combine. The consistency will be sticky, slightly crumbly, and slightly oily. Scrape the sides, turn out the mixture onto a floured surface and shape into a ball. Roll out the marzipan and cut into any shape you would like.
pie assembly steps
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove the chilling pie crust from the refrigerator and press it into a pie dish. Bake the pie for ~45 minutes until the marzipan and crust turn golden.
