Five-Spice Pear Pie Bars

Just a pinch of five-spice powder is all you need to add loads of flavor to these delicious dessert bars. Top with a healthy drizzle of sweet-tangy orange icing for a showy finish.

Five-Spice Pear Pie Bars
Prep Time:
40 mins
Bake Time:
45 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
32

Ingredients

  • 3 cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 tablespoon sugar

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ½ cup shortening

  • ½ cup cold butter

  • 2 egg yolks, beaten

  • cup milk

  • Water

  • 6 cup peeled, cored, and thinly sliced ripe pears (about 2-1/4 pounds)

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 1 cup crushed cornflakes

  • 1 teaspoon five-spice powder

  • 1 egg white, beaten

  • 1 recipe Orange Icing

Orange Icing

  • 1 ½ cup powdered sugar

  • 1 teaspoon grated orange peel

  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla

  • 1 tablespoon pear nectar or milk

Directions

  1. For pastry, in a large bowl combine flour, the 2 tablespoons sugar, and the salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening and butter until pieces are pea-size.

  2. In a small bowl whisk together egg yolks and milk. Gradually stir egg yolk mixture into flour mixture, tossing with a fork to moisten. Sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons water over the mixture, gently tossing until all of the mixture is moistened. Gather mixture into a ball, kneading gently until it holds together. Divide pastry into two portions, making one portion slightly larger than the other. Wrap and chill until needed.

  3. For filling, in an extra-large bowl combine pears, the 1 cup sugar, the cornflakes, and five-spice powder. Set aside.

  4. Preheat oven to 350°F. On a lightly floured surface, use your hands to pat the larger portion of pastry onto the bottom of a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Spoon filling evenly into pastry-lined pan.

  5. Roll the remaining pastry portion between two sheets of waxed paper to a 15x10-inch rectangle. Carefully peel off top sheet of waxed paper. Invert rectangle, pastry side down, over the filling. Carefully peel off waxed paper. Using damp fingers, press edges of the two pastry rectangles together. Cut a few slits in the top pastry; brush lightly with egg white.

  6. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until pastry is golden, fruit is tender, and filling is bubbly. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

  7. Drizzle with Orange Icing. Let stand until icing is set. Cut into bars.

Orange Icing

  1. In a medium bowl stir together powdered sugar, orange peel, and vanilla. Stir in pear nectar until icing is a drizzling consistency.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

179 Calories
6g Fat
29g Carbs
2g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 32
Calories 179
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 6g 8%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 21mg 7%
Sodium 81mg 4%
Total Carbohydrate 29g 11%
Total Sugars 16g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 1.2mg 6%
Calcium 10.1mg 1%
Iron 1.1mg 6%
Potassium 62mg 1%
Folate, total 28.2mcg
Vitamin B-12 0.1mcg
Vitamin B-6 0.1mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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