Five-Spice Pear Pie Bars

By rmulleni

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup cold butter
• Water
• 2 egg yolks, beaten
• 1/3 cup milk
• 6 cups 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 recipeOrange Icing

Details

Servings 32
Preparation time 40mins
Cooking time 85mins
Adapted from BHG.com

Preparation

Step 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 the 1 teaspoon five-spice powder. Set aside.

4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. On a lightly floured surface, use your hands to pat the larger portion of pastry into 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 rectangles together. Cut a few slits in the top pastry; brush lightly with egg white.

6. Bake in the preheated oven 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
Ingredients

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons finely shredded orange peel
2 - 3 tablespoons orange juice

Directions

1. In a medium bowl combine powdered sugar, orange peel, and enough orange juice to make icing a drizzling consistency.