This unique pie is a specialty of Kelli’s grandma and has been part of their Thanksgiving dinner for at least 30 years. Apparently, her grandma initially claimed she was making it to please the men in the family, but the truth is she made it because it was her favorite. Now, it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving in their family without it.
“When my mom married my dad, my grandma made her a cookbook of homemade favorites. She hand drew and wrote out all the recipes for the book. When I got married, my grandma wanted to do the same for me. But my mom had used her cookbook so much that when they went to make copies for mine some of the pages were so worn out she had to re-draw them. Of course, this pie recipe is part of the cookbook.”
If you’re ready to try something fun and different for dessert this Thanksgiving, add this pie to your dessert table! (You’ll have to use your own pie crust recipe — or buy the ready-made crusts available in grocery stores — since Kelli’s grandma isn’t ready to share her signature pie crust recipe!) You can also try our other Loring Ward Thanksgiving recipes: Pumpkin Chiffon Pie, Tandoori Turkey, Corn Pudding, Sweet Potato Casserole
Caramel Nut Pear Pie
1 unbaked pie shell
In a medium bowl mix and place into pie shell:
6 cups sliced and peeled pears
½ cup sugar
2 Tbsp tapioca
¾ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
1 Tbsp lemon juice
Mix topping and crumble over pears:
¾ cup oatmeal
¼ cup butter
3 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp flour
Bake at 400 for 45 min. While pie is baking, prepare caramel topping.
Caramel nut mixture:
18 Caramel squares
5 Tbsp milk
¼ cup chopped nuts of your choice
Stir over low heat until caramel melts. When pie is done, pour caramel nut mixture over baked pie and place back into the oven for 8 minutes until it bubbles.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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