Aged Wine-Poached Pear Pie with Speculoos Lattice Recipe

Learn how to make this showstopping homemade pie featuring pears poached in aged red wine, nestled in spiced custard and topped with the best speculoos cookie lattice. This easy baking recipe combines classic techniques with impressive presentation for a dessert that balances sophisticated flavors with comforting warmth.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Prep Time:
45 mins
Cook Time:
70 mins
Serves:
1 pie (8 slices)
An overhead shot captures the intricate speculoos cookie lattice pattern, beautifully browned with glossy crimson wine-poached pears peeking through the gaps. A cross-section reveals layers of burgundy-hued pears nestled in amber spiced custard against the flaky golden crust. Natural light highlights the caramelized edges of the cookie lattice and the glistening fruit. The pie sits on a weathered wooden board, dusted with powdered sugar, beside a small pot of crème fraîche and a delicate glass of ruby port. Scattered cinnamon sticks, whole star anise, and speculoos cookie crumbs complete the rustic autumn tableau.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the pie crust:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">225g all-purpose flour</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">30g granulated sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/4 tsp salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">150g cold unsalted butter, cubed</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">60ml ice-cold water</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the wine-poached pears:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">750ml full-bodied red wine (Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">60ml port wine (optional, for depth)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">150g granulated sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 cinnamon stick</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 star anise</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">5 cloves</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 vanilla pod, split</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Zest of 1 orange</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">4-5 firm pears (Bosc or Anjou), peeled, halved and cored</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the spiced custard:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">120ml poaching liquid, reduced</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">3 large eggs</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">50g granulated sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">120ml heavy cream</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp ground cinnamon</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/4 tsp ground ginger</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/8 tsp ground cloves</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the speculoos lattice:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">200g speculoos cookies (or gingersnaps)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">60g melted butter</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">23cm (9-inch) pie dish</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Food processor</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Large saucepan</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Slotted spoon</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Rolling pin</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Parchment paper</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Pie weights or dried beans</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Begin with the pie dough. In a food processor, pulse together flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold cubed butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining (these butter pockets create flakiness during baking). Slowly drizzle in ice water while pulsing until the dough just begins to come together – it should hold when pressed between your fingers but shouldn't be wet or sticky.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, form into a disc without overworking it (overhandling develops gluten, making the crust tough). Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 2 days. Cold dough is crucial for a flaky crust as it allows the butter to remain solid until hitting the hot oven.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>While the dough chills, prepare the wine-poached pears. In a large saucepan, combine the red wine, port wine (if using), sugar, cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, vanilla pod, and orange zest. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Carefully add the peeled, halved pears to the simmering liquid. The liquid should just cover the pears – if not, add a little water. Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and poach for 20-25 minutes until the pears are tender but still hold their shape when pierced with a knife. The cooking time will vary depending on the ripeness of your pears.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Using a slotted spoon, gently transfer the pears to a plate to cool. Increase the heat to medium-high and reduce the poaching liquid by half until slightly syrupy, about 15-20 minutes. This intensifies the flavors for both the custard and the pears. Set aside 120ml of the reduced liquid for the custard and let cool.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Roll out the chilled pie dough on a floured surface to about 3mm thickness and transfer to a 23cm pie dish. Trim the excess, leaving a 2cm overhang, then fold under and crimp decoratively. Prick the bottom with a fork several times, line with parchment paper, and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Blind bake for 15 minutes, then remove the weights and parchment and bake for another 5-7 minutes until just beginning to color. Reduce oven temperature to 180°C (350°F).</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>For the speculoos lattice, place the cookies in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Mix with melted butter until the mixture resembles wet sand and holds together when pressed. Roll the mixture between two sheets of parchment paper to about 5mm thickness. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm up.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Prepare the spiced custard by whisking together the reduced wine syrup, eggs, sugar, heavy cream, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves until smooth. The custard serves as a binding agent for the pears while adding richness and complementary spice notes.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>Slice the cooled poached pears into 1cm thick slices, keeping their shape intact. Arrange them decoratively in the blind-baked pie shell, overlapping slightly. Gently pour the custard mixture over and around the pears, being careful not to overfill – leave about 1cm from the top of the crust.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>Remove the chilled speculoos dough from the refrigerator and cut into 2cm wide strips using a sharp knife or pastry wheel. Create a lattice pattern over the pie by placing strips in one direction, then weaving perpendicular strips over and under. The beauty of this cookie lattice is that it's more forgiving than traditional pastry lattice – don't worry if pieces break, just press them back together.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 11</h4>Brush the lattice strips with beaten egg wash, which will help the cookie lattice develop a beautiful golden color and slight shine. Place the pie on a baking sheet (to catch any potential overflow) and bake for 40-45 minutes until the custard is set with just a slight wobble in the center and the lattice is golden brown. If the edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 12</h4>Allow the pie to cool completely on a wire rack for at least 3 hours before slicing. This resting time is crucial as it allows the custard to fully set and flavors to meld. Serve at room temperature with a dollop of lightly whipped cream or crème fraîche to complement the rich, wine-infused filling. This pie will keep for up to 3 days refrigerated, though the lattice will soften slightly over time.</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Aged Wine-Poached Pear Pie with Speculoos Lattice Recipe?

This elegant pie combines all-purpose flour, butter, sugar and salt for the crust; red wine, port, sugar, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, vanilla and orange for poaching pears; eggs, cream and spices for the custard; and speculoos cookies with butter for the lattice topping.

How to cook Aged Wine-Poached Pear Pie with Speculoos Lattice Recipe at home?

Learn how to cook Aged Wine-Poached Pear Pie with Speculoos Lattice by first preparing a buttery pie crust, then poaching pears in spiced red wine, creating a rich custard with reduced poaching liquid, and topping it all with a beautiful speculoos cookie lattice before baking until golden and set.

What's the best type of pear to use for wine-poached desserts?

Firm varieties like Bosc or Anjou pears are ideal for wine poaching as they hold their shape well during cooking without turning mushy. Choose slightly underripe pears that yield slightly to pressure but aren't completely soft for the best texture and wine absorption.

Can I make the speculoos lattice with homemade cookies instead of store-bought?

Absolutely! Homemade speculoos or gingersnap cookies work beautifully for the lattice. Ensure they're baked until crisp, then cool completely before processing. The higher spice content in homemade cookies can actually enhance the flavour profile of your finished pie.

How can I prevent my custard from curdling when adding the wine reduction?

To prevent curdling, ensure your wine reduction has completely cooled before incorporating it into the egg mixture. Whisking continuously while gradually adding the reduction helps maintain a smooth texture. If still concerned, temper the eggs by adding a small amount of warm reduction first.

Want to try something else in ...

Fruit Pies

Try following recommended recipes

{ "@context": "http://schema.org/", "@type": "Recipe", "name": "Aged Wine-Poached Pear Pie with Speculoos Lattice Recipe", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gurbir Aujla", "brand": "What's Baking?", "jobTitle": "Baker" }, "datePublished": "2024-06-20", "description": "Learn how to make this showstopping homemade pie featuring pears poached in aged red wine, nestled in spiced custard and topped with the best speculoos cookie lattice. This easy baking recipe combines classic techniques with impressive presentation for a dessert that balances sophisticated flavors with comforting warmth.", "prepTime": "PT45M", "cookTime": "PT1H10M", "totalTime": "PT1H55M", "keywords": "wine-poached pears, speculoos lattice pie, spiced custard dessert, holiday baking, elegant dessert", "recipeYield": "8", "recipeCategory": "Dessert", "recipeCuisine": "French", "nutrition": { "@type": "NutritionInformation", "calories": "385 calories", "carbohydrateContent": "48 g", "proteinContent": "5 g", "fatContent": "18 g", "saturatedFatContent": "11 g", "cholesterolContent": "115 mg", "sodiumContent": "210 mg", "sugarContent": "28 g", "servingSize": "1 slice" }, "recipeIngredient": [ "225g all-purpose flour", "30g granulated sugar", "1/4 tsp salt", "150g cold unsalted butter, cubed", "60ml ice-cold water", "750ml full-bodied red wine (Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon)", "60ml port wine (optional, for depth)", "150g granulated sugar", "1 cinnamon stick", "2 star anise", "5 cloves", "1 vanilla pod, split", "Zest of 1 orange", "4-5 firm pears (Bosc or Anjou), peeled, halved and cored", "120ml poaching liquid, reduced", "3 large eggs", "50g granulated sugar", "120ml heavy cream", "1 tsp ground cinnamon", "1/4 tsp ground ginger", "1/8 tsp ground cloves", "200g speculoos cookies (or gingersnaps)", "60g melted butter", "1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)" ], "recipeInstructions": [ { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Make pie dough", "text": "In a food processor, pulse together flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold cubed butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining. Slowly drizzle in ice water while pulsing until the dough just begins to come together." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Chill dough", "text": "Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, form into a disc without overworking it. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 2 days." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Prepare poaching liquid", "text": "In a large saucepan, combine the red wine, port wine (if using), sugar, cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, vanilla pod, and orange zest. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Poach pears", "text": "Carefully add the peeled, halved pears to the simmering liquid. Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and poach for 20-25 minutes until the pears are tender but still hold their shape when pierced with a knife." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Reduce poaching liquid", "text": "Using a slotted spoon, gently transfer the pears to a plate to cool. Increase the heat to medium-high and reduce the poaching liquid by half until slightly syrupy, about 15-20 minutes. Set aside 120ml of the reduced liquid for the custard and let cool." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Blind bake crust", "text": "Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Roll out the chilled pie dough and transfer to a 23cm pie dish. Trim excess, crimp edges, prick bottom with fork, line with parchment, fill with pie weights, and blind bake for 15 minutes. Remove weights and bake 5-7 minutes more. Reduce oven to 180°C (350°F)." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Prepare speculoos lattice", "text": "Place the cookies in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Mix with melted butter until the mixture resembles wet sand. Roll between parchment paper to about 5mm thickness. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm up." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Make spiced custard", "text": "Whisk together the reduced wine syrup, eggs, sugar, heavy cream, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves until smooth." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Assemble pie", "text": "Slice the cooled poached pears into 1cm thick slices, keeping their shape intact. Arrange them decoratively in the blind-baked pie shell. Gently pour the custard mixture over and around the pears, being careful not to overfill." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Create lattice top", "text": "Cut the chilled speculoos dough into 2cm wide strips. Create a lattice pattern over the pie by placing strips in one direction, then weaving perpendicular strips over and under." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Bake pie", "text": "Brush the lattice strips with beaten egg wash. Place the pie on a baking sheet and bake for 40-45 minutes until the custard is set with just a slight wobble in the center and the lattice is golden brown." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Cool and serve", "text": "Allow the pie to cool completely on a wire rack for at least 3 hours before slicing. Serve at room temperature with a dollop of lightly whipped cream or crème fraîche." } ], "aggregateRating": { "@type": "AggregateRating", "ratingValue": "5", "ratingCount": "178" }, "review": [ { "@type": "Review", "author": "Isabella Rossi", "datePublished": "2024-06-02", "reviewBody": "This wine-poached pear pie was the star of my dinner party! The speculoos lattice adds such a wonderful spiced flavor that complements the wine-soaked pears perfectly. Everyone was impressed with the presentation and flavors.", "name": "Elegant dessert for dinner parties!", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "François Dupont", "datePublished": "2024-06-05", "reviewBody": "As a wine enthusiast, I was worried the wine flavor would overpower the delicate pears, but this recipe achieves perfect balance. I used a good Cabernet Sauvignon and the results were magnificent - subtle wine notes that enhance rather than mask the fruit.", "name": "Wine flavor perfectly balanced!", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Aisha Patel", "datePublished": "2024-06-10", "reviewBody": "The speculoos lattice seemed intimidating at first, but the detailed instructions made it manageable. The cookie topping caramelizes beautifully in the oven and adds such a wonderful texture contrast to the soft pears. Absolutely worth the effort!", "name": "Speculoos lattice worth every effort!", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Olivia Schmidt", "datePublished": "2024-06-15", "reviewBody": "I made this for Thanksgiving instead of the usual apple pie, and it was a complete showstopper! The deep burgundy color of the pears against the golden lattice created a stunning presentation. This will be our new holiday tradition.", "name": "Showstopper at Thanksgiving dinner!", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Miguel Hernandez", "datePublished": "2024-06-18", "reviewBody": "I had some hard, underripe pears that I thought would go to waste, but this poaching technique transformed them completely! They became tender and infused with wonderful spiced wine flavor. The custard filling brings everything together perfectly.", "name": "Poaching technique transformed tough pears!", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } } ] }
{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What ingredients are used in Aged Wine-Poached Pear Pie with Speculoos Lattice Recipe?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "This elegant pie combines all-purpose flour, butter, sugar and salt for the crust; red wine, port, sugar, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, vanilla and orange for poaching pears; eggs, cream and spices for the custard; and speculoos cookies with butter for the lattice topping." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How to cook Aged Wine-Poached Pear Pie with Speculoos Lattice Recipe at home?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Learn how to cook Aged Wine-Poached Pear Pie with Speculoos Lattice by first preparing a buttery pie crust, then poaching pears in spiced red wine, creating a rich custard with reduced poaching liquid, and topping it all with a beautiful speculoos cookie lattice before baking until golden and set." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What's the best type of pear to use for wine-poached desserts?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Firm varieties like Bosc or Anjou pears are ideal for wine poaching as they hold their shape well during cooking without turning mushy. Choose slightly underripe pears that yield slightly to pressure but aren't completely soft for the best texture and wine absorption." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I make the speculoos lattice with homemade cookies instead of store-bought?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Absolutely! Homemade speculoos or gingersnap cookies work beautifully for the lattice. Ensure they're baked until crisp, then cool completely before processing. The higher spice content in homemade cookies can actually enhance the flavour profile of your finished pie." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How can I prevent my custard from curdling when adding the wine reduction?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "To prevent curdling, ensure your wine reduction has completely cooled before incorporating it into the egg mixture. Whisking continuously while gradually adding the reduction helps maintain a smooth texture. If still concerned, temper the eggs by adding a small amount of warm reduction first." } } ] }