Our Browned Butter Pear Crisp is the ultimate fall comfort food! It combines cinnamon-spiced pears with a warm, buttery topping, creating a cozy dessert perfect for chilly nights.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Browned Butter Pear Crisp is the perfect fall treat, blending the natural sweetness of pears with the richness of browned butter and the warmth of cinnamon and cardamom. The crispy oat topping adds the perfect crunch to the tender, spiced pears beneath. It’s simple to make yet feels like a luxurious dessert. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate comfort food experience!
Ingredients
For the Pear 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)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
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Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Set aside an 8×8 square baking pan or a medium-sized gratin dish.
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Prepare the Pear Filling:
In a large mixing bowl, toss the sliced pears with lemon juice. In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and cardamom. Sprinkle this mixture over the pears and toss to coat evenly. Pour the pear mixture into the prepared baking dish. -
Make the Topping:
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon. Set this aside. -
Brown the Butter:
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the 4 tablespoons of butter. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter foams, then starts to brown and become speckled (about 3-5 minutes). Pour the browned butter into the bowl with the dry topping ingredients and mix until the mixture forms crumbles. -
Assemble and Bake:
Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the pears in the baking dish. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the pears are tender and the topping is golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 20 minutes. -
Serve:
Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate comfort dessert.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes approximately 6 servings. The prep time is about 15 minutes, and cooking time is 35-45 minutes, with a cooling time of 20 minutes. Total time from start to finish is about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Variations
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Add Fresh Cranberries: Toss in 2/3 cup of fresh cranberries with the pear filling, and increase the sugar to 1/3 cup to balance the tartness of the cranberries.
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Nuts in the Topping: For added texture, fold in 1/4 cup of finely chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans) into the topping.
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Use Different Fruits: Swap the pears for apples or a combination of apples and pears for a different flavor profile.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: Store the crisp tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
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Freezing: Wrap the crisp well in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
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Reheating: To reheat, place the crisp in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes until warmed through, or microwave individual servings for 1-2 minutes.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of butter?
Yes, you can use regular melted butter instead of browned butter for a milder flavor, but browned butter gives a deeper, nuttier taste to the topping.
Can I use a different type of fruit for this crisp?
While pears work wonderfully in this recipe, you can swap them for apples or a mix of both. Just adjust the cooking time as needed based on the fruit’s tenderness.
How do I know when the crisp is done baking?
The crisp is ready when the pears are tender and the topping is golden and crunchy. You can check the tenderness of the pears with a fork to make sure they are soft.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the crisp up to the point of baking, cover it, and refrigerate it for a day. Just bake it when you’re ready to enjoy it.
Can I skip the cardamom in the filling?
Yes, cardamom is optional in the filling. If you prefer a simpler flavor, just leave it out or substitute with additional cinnamon.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free. You could substitute the flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make it gluten-free.
Can I add a streusel topping instead of the oat topping?
Yes, you can swap the oat topping for a traditional streusel topping made from butter, flour, sugar, and cinnamon for a different texture.
Can I freeze the crisp before baking?
Yes, you can assemble the entire crisp and freeze it before baking. When you’re ready to bake it, allow it to thaw slightly and bake as directed.
Can I make this with a different type of sweetener?
Yes, you can substitute the sugar with a sugar alternative like monk fruit sweetener or Stevia, but keep in mind that this may affect the texture and sweetness of the final dish.
Can I serve this crisp with anything else?
Serve this crisp with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra indulgent dessert!
Conclusion
Our Browned Butter Pear Crisp is the epitome of fall comfort food. The tender, cinnamon-spiced pears and the rich, buttery topping create a dish that’s both comforting and indulgent. Whether served as a cozy dessert after dinner or as a sweet breakfast treat, this crisp is sure to warm you up and satisfy your sweet tooth.
Print
Browned Butter Pear Crisp Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the comforting flavors of this Browned Butter Pear Crisp, featuring tender cinnamon-spiced pears topped with a warm, buttery oat topping. The perfect dessert for fall, it’s easy to make and sure to satisfy your cravings with each warm bite. Enjoy it fresh from the oven or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate treat!
Ingredients
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). Set aside an 8×8 square baking pan or a medium-sized gratin dish.
Prepare the Pears:
In a large mixing bowl, toss the sliced pears with lemon juice.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and cardamom (if using).
Sprinkle the mixture over the pears and toss to coat evenly.
Transfer the pear mixture into the prepared baking dish.
Prepare the Topping:
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, brown sugar, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Continue to cook until the butter foams, browns, and becomes speckled (about 3-5 minutes), whisking occasionally.
Pour the browned butter into the topping ingredients and mix until crumbles form.
Assemble the Crisp:
Sprinkle the crumbly topping evenly over the pear filling.
Bake:
Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the pears are tender and the topping is golden brown.
Cool and Serve:
Remove the crisp from the oven and allow it to cool for 20 minutes before serving. Serve warm for the best experience!
Notes
Substitute for Browned Butter: You can use regular melted butter instead of browned butter if preferred.
Optional Additions:
Toss in 2/3 cup of fresh cranberries to the filling, adjusting the sugar to 1/3 cup to balance the tartness.
Add 1/4 cup of finely chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans) to the topping for extra crunch.
Storage:
Store tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: Wrap well in plastic wrap and foil to freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating:
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes until warmed through, or microwave individual servings for 1-2 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooling Time:: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
