Throw another log on the fire and grab yourself a slice of pie. 'Tis the season to satisfy your sweet tooth. From sugar plums to figgy pudding, Christmastime is a dessert-filled winter wonderland. This Pear and Cranberry Christmas Spice Pie is something I think you'll enjoy sinking your teeth into.

When it comes to Christmas desserts I like them to be fairly traditional. From the fanciful bûche de noël, to gingerbread cookies or spicy plum pudding I like desserts that seem to be reserved for this special time of year and this special time of year only. In fact this Pear and Cranberry Christmas Spice Pie is so evocative of the season that I put the word Christmas in the title. Which pretty much guarantees that I won't be making this pie until "the weather outside is frightful."

Maybe it's just nostalgia, but the aromas of sugar and spice baking in the oven bring out the holiday spirit in me. This pie of sweet pears and tart cranberries, is made aromatic with cardamom, cinnamon, and allspice. If the smell of this pie baking in the oven doesn't inspire you "to deck the halls" then "you're a mean one, Mr. Grinch."

Pear and Cranberry Christmas Spice Pie

There are many things to love about this holiday pie. It bakes a good long time so as I said the house fills up with a scent scent. The long cooking time also allows the brown sugar sweetened pears and cranberries to create a juicy crimson filling that gently bubbles while baking. As I've chosen the rather cute (too cute??) topping of pastry cut outs in the form of snowflakes you'll have to be careful about this Pear and Cranberry Christmas Spice Pie bubbling over. So give yourself plenty of pastry and build nice tall lip (read dam) on this pies. GREG

Pear and Cranberry Christmas Spice PiePear and Cranberry Christmas Spice Pie