Fresh Pear & Walnut Crisp

This cozy dessert combines juicy pears with a crunchy walnut topping for the perfect balance of flavors and textures. It’s an elegant twist on the classic apple crisp that’s perfect for fall and winter entertaining.

Components

For the Filling:

  • 6 ripe but firm pears (Anjou or Bartlett)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of salt

For the Crisp Topping:

  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed

Instructions

Step 1: Prep

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F
  2. Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish
  3. Core and slice pears into 1/4-inch pieces
  4. Toss with lemon juice immediately

Step 2: Filling

  1. Combine sliced pears with:
  • Granulated sugar
  • Flour
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • Salt
  1. Transfer to prepared dish

Step 3: Topping

  1. Mix in large bowl:
  • Oats
  • Flour
  • Brown sugar
  • Walnuts
  • Cinnamon
  • Salt
  1. Cut in cold butter until crumbly
  2. Sprinkle over pears

Step 4: Baking

  1. Bake 40-45 minutes until:
  • Topping is golden brown
  • Pears are tender
  • Filling is bubbly
  1. Cool 15 minutes before serving

Pro Tips

  1. For Perfect Results:
  • Use ripe but firm pears
  • Cut pears uniformly
  • Keep butter cold
  • Don’t overmix topping
  1. Make-Ahead Options:
  • Prepare topping in advance
  • Store in refrigerator
  • Assemble just before baking

Storage

  • Room temperature: 2 days
  • Refrigerated: 5 days
  • Reheat in oven to crisp topping
  • Don’t freeze assembled

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm with:

  • Vanilla ice cream
  • Whipped cream
  • Caramel sauce
  • Extra chopped walnuts

Perfect for:

  • Fall gatherings
  • Holiday dessert
  • Casual entertaining
  • Family dinners

Remember:

  • Choose ripe but firm pears
  • Don’t skip the lemon juice
  • Let cool slightly before serving
  • Best served warm

This elegant dessert showcases the natural sweetness of pears while adding a satisfying crunch from the walnut topping. It’s simple enough for family dinners but sophisticated enough for special occasions!