Best 6 Perfect Pear Pandowdy Recipes

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Pear pandowdy, a classic American dessert, is a delightful combination of sweet, juicy pears enveloped in a flaky, buttery crust. Its origins can be traced back to the early 19th century, where it was commonly prepared in New England households. This delectable treat features tender and aromatic pears, often complemented by spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, nestled within a rustic crust. The result is a symphony of flavors and textures that has stood the test of time. In this article, we will explore two enticing recipes for pear pandowdy: a traditional version and a unique upside-down variation. Both recipes promise an unforgettable dessert experience, capturing the essence of this timeless dish.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

PEAR PANDOWDY



Pear Pandowdy image

I pulled out this recipe one night when my husband was craving something sweet, and it was a big hit with both of us. It's a superb last-minute dessert that almost melts in your mouth. -Jennifer Class, Kirkland, Washington.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 40m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 medium firm pears, peeled and sliced
2 tablespoons brown sugar
4-1/2 teaspoons butter
1-1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
TOPPING:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons plus 1/2 teaspoon sugar, divided
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cold butter, cubed
2 tablespoons water
Vanilla ice cream, optional

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, combine the first 6 ingredients. Cook and stir over medium heat until pears are tender, about 5 minutes. Pour into a greased 3-cup baking dish. , In a small bowl, combine the flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, baking powder and salt; cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in water. Sprinkle over pear mixture. Sprinkle with remaining sugar. , Bake, uncovered, at 375° until a toothpick inserted into topping comes out clean and topping is lightly browned, 20-25 minutes. If desired, serve warm with ice cream.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 594 calories, Fat 32g fat (20g saturated fat), Cholesterol 84mg cholesterol, Sodium 572mg sodium, Carbohydrate 76g carbohydrate (45g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

APPLE PANDOWDY



Apple Pandowdy image

This apple pandowdy, which comes from a very old cookbook, is tangy and delicious. -Doreen Lindquist, Thompson, Manitoba

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h20m

Yield 9 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 cup packed brown sugar
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1 cup water
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons baking powder
5 tablespoons butter, divided
3/4 cup 2% milk
5 cups sliced peeled apples
1/2 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon coarse sugar
Whipped cream, optional

Steps:

  • In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, 1/4 cup flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add water and lemon juice; cook and stir over medium heat until thick. Cover and set aside. , In a bowl, combine baking powder and remaining flour and salt. Cut in 3 tablespoons butter. Add the milk and mix just until moistened (a few lumps will remain); set aside. , Arrange apples in a 1-1/2-quart baking dish; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Add nutmeg, vanilla and remaining butter to sauce; pour over apples. Drop dough by spoonfuls over sauce. Combine remaining cinnamon and coarse sugar; sprinkle over dough. Bake at 350° until top is brown and apples are tender, about 55 minutes. Serve warm, with whipped cream if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 260 calories, Fat 7g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 20mg cholesterol, Sodium 304mg sodium, Carbohydrate 47g carbohydrate (33g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 3g protein.

PEACH PANDOWDY



Peach Pandowdy image

Old Fashioned Southern Cookin' - Perfect Desert for covered dish dinners.

Provided by Tracey Davis

Categories     Desserts     Fruit Dessert Recipes     Peach Dessert Recipes

Time 55m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

6 cups thickly sliced peaches
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ cup white sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
½ cup heavy cream

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Place the peaches in a medium bowl. Sprinkle lemon juice over them. Mix together 1/2 cup of sugar and cornstarch. Sprinkle over the peaches, and stir to coat. Spoon into a 2 to 2 1/2 quart casserole dish.
  • In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in butter with a fork or pastry cutter until it is in fine crumbs. Make a well in the center, and pour in the cream. Stir with a fork until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
  • Roll out dough on a floured surface until it is just big enough to cover the baking dish. Cut a 2 inch cross in the center. Place over the peaches, and tuck in the dough around the sides. Turn back the corners of the cross to reveal the filling.
  • Bake for 40 to 45 minutes in the preheated oven, until filling is bubbly, and top is golden brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 280.3 calories, Carbohydrate 46.7 g, Cholesterol 32.3 mg, Fat 9.5 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 2.6 g, SaturatedFat 5.8 g, Sodium 191.6 mg, Sugar 28.8 g

GINGERED PEAR AND RASPBERRY PANDOWDY



Gingered Pear and Raspberry Pandowdy image

Provided by Cory Schreiber

Categories     Blender     Food Processor     Ginger     Dessert     Bake     Raspberry     Lemon     Pear     Fall     Pastry     Butter     Buttermilk     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Serves 8

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature, for pan
Fruit Filling
1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) granulated sugar
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch
Pinch of fine sea salt
4 large pears, peeled, cored, and sliced (2 pounds prepped)
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 dry pint (2 cups or 9 ounces) raspberries, fresh or frozen
1 tablespoon cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Biscuit
1 3/4 cups (8 3/4 ounces) all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons plus 1 tablespoon (1 3/4 ounces) granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
10 tablespoons (5 ounces) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
1/3 cup (2 ounces) chopped candied ginger
2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon cold buttermilk

Steps:

  • Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 400°F. Butter a 9-inch cast-iron skillet or 9-inch deep-dish pie pan.
  • To make the fruit filling, rub the sugar, cornstarch, and salt together in a large bowl, then add the pears and lemon juice and toss until evenly coated.
  • Gently fold in the raspberries, then transfer the fruit to the prepared pan.
  • Distribute the butter atop the fruit.
  • To make the biscuit, whisk the flour, 3 tablespoons of the sugar, the baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.
  • Add the butter and toss until evenly coated. Using your fingertips or a pastry blender, cut in the butter until the size of large peas. (Alternatively, you can put the dry ingredients in a food processor and pulse to combine.
  • Add the butter and pulse until the butter is the size of large peas, then transfer to a bowl).
  • Stir in the candied ginger, then pour in the 2⁄3 cup buttermilk and stir just until the dry ingredients are moistened.
  • The dough will be crumbly, with large pieces of butter still visible. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and gently press the dough together, then press it into a 9-inch circle.
  • Carefully place the dough atop the fruit. Brush the dough with the 1 tablespoon buttermilk,then sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar.
  • Bake in the lower third of the oven for 30 minutes, then turn the oven down to 350°F and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until the pastry is golden and the juices are bubbly and thick.
  • Allow to cool for 30 minutes before serving.

PEAR PANDOWDY



Pear Pandowdy image

This pear-and-fig version of a deep-dish pandowdy trades the traditional spiced-apple filling but keeps the patchwork crust.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes

Time 3h

Yield Makes one 8-by-11-inch pie

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup blanched hazelnuts, toasted and finely ground
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
Salt
2 sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water
1 large egg, lightly beaten with 1 tablespoon heavy cream, for egg wash
Fine sanding sugar, for sprinkling
4 pounds firm, ripe pears such as Bosc or Bartlett, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2 -inch wedges
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup chopped dried figs
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Steps:

  • Make the crust: Pulse flour, hazelnuts, granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt in a food processor until just combined. Add butter, and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. With machine running, slowly add 1/4 cup water and process until mixture just begins to hold together. If dough is too dry, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and pulse.
  • Shape dough into 2 disks, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 1 disk until firm, about 1 hour. (Freeze remaining disk for another use.)
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll out dough to a 1/8-inch-thick rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Transfer to a piece of parchment. Cut dough into 2-by-3-inch pieces. Freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, make the filling: Combine pears, granulated sugar, figs, lemon juice, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Transfer filling to an 8-by-11-inch baking dish.
  • Arrange dough pieces in a patchwork design, overlapping slightly and leaving holes in between as steam vents. Brush with egg wash, and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Bake until top is golden brown and filling is bubbling in the center, about 55 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes before serving.

PERFECT PEAR PANDOWDY



Perfect Pear Pandowdy image

In pandowdy, a spiced fruit filling is topped with mounds of biscuit dough and then baked, similar to cobblers. Traditionally made with apples, this version of the dessert features pears; dried cranberries add a tart note. The name is believed to refer to its rather old-fashioned appearance.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Holidays & Events     Thanksgiving Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 13

Pear Pandowdy Crust
4 large Bartlett pears (about 2 1/2 pounds)
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup shelled unsalted pistachios, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut
2 tablespoons brandy
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 large egg, lightly beaten, for glaze
1 tablespoon heavy cream
1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Make the filling: Peel and core pears, and chop into 1/2-inch pieces. Place in a large bowl, and add dried cranberries, brown sugar, salt, pistachios, coconut, brandy, if using, and clove; toss until thoroughly combined. Transfer to a 2-quart pyrex or ceramic baking dish. Dot top with butter.
  • Remove dough squares from refrigerator; place on top of filling so that they are slightly overlapping, leaving some filling uncovered. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and cream; brush over dough. Sprinkle with granulated sugar.
  • Bake until crust is golden and filling is bubbling, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven, and push crust partly down into fruit mixture. Serve warm.

Tips:

  • Choose ripe, firm pears for the best flavor and texture. Bosc, Bartlett, and Anjou pears are all good choices.
  • Peel and core the pears before slicing them. This will help to prevent the pears from becoming mushy.
  • Use a sharp knife to slice the pears evenly. This will help them to cook evenly.
  • Don't add too much sugar to the filling. The pears should be the star of the show, not the sugar.
  • Bake the pandowdy until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. This usually takes about 45 minutes.
  • Serve the pandowdy warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Conclusion:

Pear pandowdy is a classic American dessert that is easy to make and always a hit. The combination of sweet, juicy pears and flaky, buttery crust is irresistible. This recipe is a great way to use up ripe pears, and it's also a delicious way to end a meal. So next time you're looking for a simple but impressive dessert, give pear pandowdy a try.

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