This irresistible Pear Apple Crisp recipe hits the spot on a chilly fall or winter evening. Spiced pears and apples are baked with a rich streusel topping of brown sugar, oats, and pecans, creating a dessert that is fruity and satisfying.

While apples get a lot of glory (and deservedly so) in baking, pears are the unsung heroes of fall and winter fruits. Their tender texture and naturally sweet flavor blends beautifully with the tart apples and when baked with aromatic spices like cinnamon, and nutmeg, a delicious combination emerges from the oven.

Of course there are countless recipes for fruit crisps out there (including several already on my blog, such as Easy Stovetop Apple Crisp and Cherry-Cranberry Crisp) but I love to experiment with different combination of fruits, spices and toppings. This Simple Pear Apple Crisp recipe finds the sweet spot. Not only is the fruit tender, the topping crispy, and the spices deliciously balanced. The other wonderful part is that the whole recipe is very easy to put together and it makes your kitchen smell like a quintessentially cozy autumn utopia.

As far as the pears go, it works best to use pears that are ripe but still a bit firm. If they are too soft, they may break down too much during baking. I used a ratio of four cups of pears to two cups of apples, but you can vary the ratio to your own tastes or depending on what you have on hand. And if you are not a fan of nuts, the pecans are optional, though I think they add a good flavor and crunch, not to mention some health benefits.

Fruit crisps are one of the desserts I make most often because they don’t require much time or precision to accomplish. And they are often wholesome enough to eat for breakfast! Or, if you want to add a bit of decadence, this crisp also tastes delicious with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

It’s hard to believe it is November already. October passed quickly as I navigated an interesting change from a job I had for seven years to a new job. I have also cherished the time spent hiking and biking in the woods with my family. And although our kids are not technically kids anymore, it is so nice that they still appreciate spending time in the natural beauty of this little corner of the earth.

If you are looking for a simple recipe that expresses the flavor and aroma of autumn, this Pear Apple Crisp is a wonderful choice.

Pear Apple Crisp

  • Servings: 6
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Ingredients:

For the filling:

4 cups pears, peeled and sliced

2 cups apples, peeled and sliced

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 and 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

For the topping:

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup raw pecans, chopped

1/3 cup unsalted butter

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease an 8 inch square baking dish with a bit of butter or lightly spray with cooking spray.

Peel and slice the pears and apples and place them in a large bowl. Add the vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Toss to coat the fruit with the spices. Then transfer the fruit to the prepared baking dish.

For the topping, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, salt, and pecans in a medium sized bowl. Mix it all together with a fork. With a pastry cutter (or with your fingers if you prefer), work the butter into the flour/oats mixture until the texture resembles course crumbs. It will be clumpy and that’s ok. With your fingers, drop pieces of the topping as evenly as possible over the fruit. Sprinkle lightly with more cinnamon if you’d like.

Bake in your preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until the fruit is tender and the topping is golden. Allow the crips to cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Add a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if desired.

Enjoy!