Winter Special: 5 Best Seasonal Fruity Pies For The Holiday Season

Pies are one of the most popular desserts in the holiday season. Packed with crispy crust and soft and flavorful fillings, they can steal the heart of every dessert lover. The best thing about these baked delights is they are extremely versatile and there are numerous types of pies available. You can use any of your favorite ingredients as the filling.

Be it any festive occasion like Christmas and Thanksgiving or just a simple family dinner, pies can fit everywhere. Since it is winter, now is the time to relish the seasonal fruits. So, why not incorporate them in our holiday pies? You can also combine two or more fruits in your recipe based on your personal preference.

Here are five seasonal fruit pies you can prepare during winter:

Apple Pie

Apples are an amazing choice for pie fillings in every season, however during the winter months, they're at their peak flavor. So, combine this crisp fruit with pie ingredients and create a mouthwatering dessert for this holiday season. You can also include your favorite spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to enhance its flavor.

Ingredients:

For the pie crust:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and diced
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup ice water

For the apple filling:

• 6 cups apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

For Assembly:

• 1 tablespoon butter, diced
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon milk or water
• Additional granulated sugar for sprinkling

Method

• In a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the chilled, diced butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, pulsing until the dough just comes together. Divide the dough in half, shape each into a disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and flour. Toss until the apples are evenly coated. Set it aside. On a floured surface, roll out one disc of pie dough to fit a 9-inch pie dish. Transfer the rolled-out dough to the pie dish.
• Spoon the prepared apple filling into the pie crust, mounding it slightly in the center. Dot the filling with diced butter. Roll out the second disc of pie dough. Press the edges of the top and bottom crusts together to seal the pie.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk or water to create an egg wash. Brush the top crust with the egg wash and sprinkle with additional granulated sugar. Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any drips and bake in the oven for 45-55 minutes.
• Allow the pie to cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before slicing. Serve warm.

Orange Pie

This fruity variation of pie has the perfect balance of sweet and tart flavor with a creamy orange filling. It is simple to prepare but very well fits in with the holiday dessert menu. You can also give it a zesty flavor by adding lime juice to the recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 frozen pie shell
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup fresh squeezed orange juice
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• whipped cream to garnish

Method

• Thaw and prepare the pie shell for a filled pie, according to package directions. Preheat the oven to 375 F.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar and the eggs. Add the orange juice and melted butter, continue whisking until incorporated.
• Pour the mixture into the pie shell and bake at 375 F for 20 minutes. Turn the heat down to 325 F and bake for 10 additional minutes. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.
• Let it cool completely and serve with the garnish with whipped cream.

Crustless Cranberry Pie

This is a simple yet yummy pie that can be prepared quickly in the last moment before your meals. Crustless cranberry pie is light and can be ready in less than an hour. Don’t forget to top it with whipped cream or ice cream to make it more delicious.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• ½ cup butter, melted
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 teaspoon almond extract

Method

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9-inch pie pan. Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl.
• Add cranberries and walnuts and toss lightly to coat. Stir in butter, eggs, and almond extract. Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes and serve warm

Pear Pie

Pear pie is a delicious dessert that perfectly fits on the Thanksgiving feast table. It has a burst of tender, juicy and sweet pears along with the hint of cinnamon and lemon zest. The warm, gooey and spiced flavor of pear pie can elevate any meal.

Ingredients

• 14 ounce double-crust pie pastry, thawed
• ½ cup white sugar
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 5 cups peeled and sliced pears
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Method

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Place a baking sheet on the bottom oven rack. Line the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie plate with one pie crust. Set the second crust aside.
• Combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, lemon zest, and salt in a mixing bowl. Arrange pear slices in layers in the prepared crust, sprinkling sugar mixture over each layer. Dot with butter and sprinkle with lemon juice.
• Moisten the rim of bottom crust with some water, then cover filling with remaining pie crust and flute the edges to seal.
• Bake in the preheated oven on the baking sheet for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C); bake for 35 to 40 minutes longer. Allow it to cool completely and serve.

Plum Pie

Get over your pecan and pumpkin pie and try this gorgeous dessert in the holiday season. This light and airy delight is perfect to enjoy after a heavy dinner. We recommend placing a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the top while the pie is still warm.

Ingredients

• 4 cups sliced fresh plums
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 frozen deep-dish pie crust (9 inches)

For topping:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3 tablespoons cold butter

Method

• Preheat the oven to 375°. In a mixing bowl, sprinkle plums with lemon juice. Combine sugar, flour, salt and cinnamon. Add plums; toss lightly to coat. Pour into the pie shell.
• For topping, in a small bowl, combine sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over filling. Bake for 50-60 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Serve.