Homey Fall crisps are pure comfort food. We like to use fresh Warren or Bartlett pears that are a little bit firm — don’t use overly ripe or mushy pears. Serve the crisp warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate Fall dessert!
INGREDIENTS:
7 cups peeled and sliced pears (about 7 or 8 medium-sized pears)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened at room temperature
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans (optional, but very nice)
1/4 teaspoon salt
Vanilla ice cream and warm caramel sauce, if desired
METHOD:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mist 8-inch square baking dish generously with non-stick cooking spray.
Place the sliced pears in a large mixing bowl. Add vanilla, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. With your hands, toss pears gently to coat and transfer the mixture to the baking dish.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together flour, oats, granulated sugar, brown sugar, pecans, and salt until thoroughly combined. Add the butter and using a fork, mash the butter into to the mixture until it looks like a streusel crumb topping with clumps of buttery lumps. Spread the crumb topping evenly over the pears.
Bake for 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and crispy. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
Serve warm topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of warm caramel sauce, if desired.
YIELD: Serves 6
