Almond Pear Pie is a delicious and impressive dessert but; the best thing is:  Almond Pear Pie can be made in minutes! 

Now, I know that I cheated!  (I made this with a frozen Gluten Free Pie Crust from Whole Foods.)  But, hey, I was running out of time; I had a Wedding Shower Party to host, with a zillion different things to make and serve; plus my servants, disappeared and weren’t around to help me!  Blast them!  Oh…I don’t even have any servants… 

“Whatever possessed me to decide to host an elegant “English Tea” Wedding Shower???”  Insanity, that’s what!  Do you have any idea how many things are on the menu for a “Real” English Tea?! Millions, millions and gad-zillions!

I think I truly lost my mind when my gorgeous man and I went to Canada where they host the most elegant English Tea Parties, ever! Little sandwiches, crisp butter cookies and pastries are served on tiered platters with steaming hot, fragrant tea in beautiful, historic Hotels and it’s simply… dreamy!  

But, of course, being Gluten Free, we couldn’t do that.  

Well, hmmmpf!  I decided that when I got home I would create a Gluten Free English Tea Party that was BETTER than their English Tea Party!  YES, I WOULD!  So in my crazed, creative, state of mind – I created this simple Menu:

Well, there you have it.  A simple menu that only Martha Stewart and her enormous staff would dare to undertake… or (sigh) me.  At least the gluten free Almond Pear Pie was a truly simple (and fabulous) dessert to make! 


Lynn’s Almond Pear Pie 

1 pre-made frozen GF pie crust from Whole Foods (or make your own homemade Gluten-Free Pie Crust)

3 large eggs
2 tablespoons arrowroot starch
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup agave
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups blanched, almond flour (Bob’s Red Mill)
1 large or 2 small ripe, organic d’Anjou or Bosc pears

Whipped Cream (optional)

1. Thaw the pie shell.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Bake the thawed pie shell in the pan directly on the oven rack for approximately 15 – 18 minutes or just until it starts to turn golden.
2. In a large mixing bowl whisk together the eggs, arrowroot, brown sugar, agave, salt and almond extract.  When throughly mixed, add the blanched almond flour and stir well.  Pour into the pie crust. 
3. Core the pear(s) and cut into about 20 slices.  Arrange the pear slices in a circle over the filling with the thinner slices in the center and the thicker part towards the outside of the pie.  
4. Bake the pie at 375 degree for 15 minutes; then LOWER THE HEAT to 325 degrees.  Continue baking for approximately 40-45 minutes or just until set in the middle. Jiggle it a bit to check – use a pot holder!  Serve this pie WARMED – it is fabulous!

My Notes:  This was a really fun recipe to create!  I wanted something decadent; yet healthy – well… healthy for a dessert!  The almonds are full of protein and the pears are nutritious and full of fiber! Yes!

I can never wait to let this cool; it is heavenly warm out of the oven with a fresh cup of hot coffee or tea!  My husband LOVES this topped with sweetened whipped cream, but I like it just plain.  It is soooooo good for breakfast; I wish I had a piece right now!

I would increase the almond extract to 1/2 teaspoon, but my husband isn’t an almond extract lover so I use 1/4 teaspoon – which pleases most everyone!   Note: Don’t leave out the almond extract!   That little bit of almond extract gives this pie that luscious, continental European feel – so decadent!  Enjoy!