How to make a Pear Pie

You will need:

For the filling:

6 Pears

2tbsp Caster Sugar

1tsp Mixed Spice

2tbsp Plain Flour

1 Egg

For the Pastry:

200g Plain Flour

1tbsp Caster sugar

130g Butter

1 Egg

1tbsp Water

Optional:

1tsp Caster Sugar

0.5tsp Mixed Spice

Method:

1. Firstly, to make the pastry; mix together your flour and sugar. The add your butter and mix in with the tips of your fingers until it resembles breadcrumbs.

2. Then add the egg and mix together, add water as required until it comes together as a dough.

3. Then roll out two thirds of your pastry on a lightly floured surface. I used a 22cm pie tin which I have greased and floured to prevent sticking, then line your tin with the pastry cutting off any excess which we will use for the lid.

4. Then to make the filling; peel the pears and cut into slices. Place them in the pie case.

5. Then mix together the caster sugar, flour and mixed spice and add the top of the pears giving a bit of a mix.

6. Then roll out the remaining pastry. Beat the egg and brush the side of the pie with it. Then top the pie with the pastry top, pressing down using a fork to seal the top. Put a hole in the middle of the pie for the steam to escape.

7. Then using the remaining beaten egg, brush the top of the pie with it to create an egg wash. As an optional, mix together 1 tsp of caster sugar and 0.5tsp mixed spice and sprinkle of the top of the pie.

8. Then bake in a pre-heated oven at Gas Mark 6, 200C or 180C fan assisted for 45-50 mins.