The Pear Pie That’s Been in My Family for Decades

One of my favorite holiday desserts is a pear pie that’s been in my family for as long as I can remember.

This old-fashioned pear pie recipe is rich and comforting, with delicate pear flavor and a buttery, cake-like topping that bakes into a golden crust. It’s simple to make, can be prepared ahead of time, and is a decadent addition to a holiday table.

History of the Recipe

My mom found this recipe before online recipes were common, on a physical recipe card at Allied Arts Guild.

Allied Arts began as an art colony in 1929 and has since grown into a collection of shops, artist studios, and a cozy café. With its beautiful gardens and old-world charm, it became one of our favorite places to visit, especially around the holidays.

Since they always decorated so beautifully at Christmas, one of our annual traditions was having lunch at Cafe Wisteria, which is where my mom found this pear pie recipe.

We’re pretty cute, right?

If you’re ever in the Bay Area, Allied Arts is definitely worth a visit!

Ingredients & Equipment

Here’s what you’ll need to make this old-fashioned pear pie.

Unbaked Pie Shell

An unbaked pie shell is what makes this recipe so easy. I usually grab the standard frozen kind that comes in packs of two, which is perfect since we always bake more than one pie for the holidays.

If you prefer homemade crust, more power to you!

Pear Halves

Pear halves are the star of this recipe, and for once, I actually prefer canned over fresh.

Fresh pears can be tricky — they brown quickly, ripen unevenly, and require peeling and coring. Canned pears are reliably consistent and ready to use, which makes this pie as simple as it is delicious. If you do use canned, choose pears packed in juice, not syrup, or the pie will be overly sweet.

Fresh pears at just the right ripeness would be lovely, but canned pears keep this recipe stress-free (and it’s the version I grew up with).

Other Ingredients & Tools

You’ll also need salted butter, granulated sugar, flour, eggs, and vanilla for the topping — plus a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream it together.

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, this pie comes together in just a few minutes.

Step-by-Step Overview

First, cream together the butter and sugar. Then add flour, eggs, and vanilla and mix until smooth.

Next, arrange the pear halves face down in the unbaked pie shell in a single layer.

Finally, spread the topping evenly over the pears and bake until golden brown.

Now that you’ve seen how it comes together, here’s the full recipe!

Tips for Serving

This pie makes a beautiful centerpiece for a cozy dinner party or holiday gathering.

It can be served warm or chilled, but it’s best once it has fully set — otherwise, it can be a little messy to slice.

My mom loves serving it with a dollop of crème fraîche, but it’s equally delicious with vanilla ice cream or simply on its own (my personal favorite).

Regardless of how you serve it, this pie is sure to be the star dessert of your holiday table!

Hosting this Season?

• Round out your table with these festive winter mocktails for guests who prefer a non-alcoholic option.
• Use my easy charcuterie board template to create a simple, crowd-pleasing appetizer.
• If you’re planning a full holiday gathering, this beginner’s guide to home entertaining walks you through everything you need to host at home.
• You can also check out my fall dinner party menu if you’re looking for easy recipes to go with this pie.

Another Classic Dessert You’ll Love

If you loved this pie, try this nostalgic recipe next.