Description
This Browned Butter Pear Crisp is a comforting and delicious dessert featuring tender, cinnamon-spiced Bartlett pears topped with a crunchy oat and flour crumble enriched with nutty browned butter. Baked to golden perfection, this crisp is perfect for showcasing the natural sweetness of pears with a warm, aromatic twist.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Filling:
- 6 Bartlett pears, cored and cut into 1/4″ slices
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)
For the Topping:
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons butter (or melted butter for an alternative)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare an 8×8 inch square baking pan or a medium-sized gratin dish for the crisp.
- Prepare the Pears: In a large bowl, toss the sliced pears with lemon juice to prevent browning and add a slight tang. In a smaller bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, cornstarch, ground cinnamon, and optional ground cardamom. Sprinkle this mixture over the pears and toss until the pears are evenly coated.
- Transfer Pears to Baking Dish: Pour the pear mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the base.
- Prepare the Topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, brown sugar, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and ground cinnamon. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and continue cooking it, whisking occasionally, until it foams, turns brown, and becomes speckled, creating browned butter (about 3-5 minutes).
- Combine Topping Ingredients: Pour the browned butter into the dry topping mixture and stir until the mixture forms a crumbly texture.
- Assemble the Crisp: Evenly sprinkle the crumb topping over the pear filling in the baking dish.
- Bake: Bake the assembled crisp in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, or until the pears are tender and the topping is golden brown and crisp.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the crisp from the oven and allow it to cool for about 20 minutes before serving. Enjoy it warm for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- You can substitute Bartlett pears with other pear varieties such as Bosc or Anjou for different textures and sweetness levels.
- For a dairy-free alternative, use vegan butter or coconut oil for browning.
- Optional cardamom adds a subtle floral note; omit if you prefer a simpler spice flavor.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an indulgent treat.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently before serving.
