Warm spices, tender pears, and a buttery brown sugar topping make this pear crisp a cozy addition to any holiday table. King Comice Pears, known as the sweetest and juiciest of all pears, bake into a rich, honeyed filling that tastes like the season.
The ingredients are simple and the preparation is quick, leaving you more time with your guests. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 4 large Pittman & Davis King Comice Pears, just ripe and still firm (about 6 cups chopped)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
For the topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup whole wheat pastry flour
- ½ cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces and chilled
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Peel and core the pears, then cut them into 1-inch pieces.
- In a large bowl, toss the pears with the vinegar, ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Spread in a 2-quart baking dish.
- In a second bowl, stir together both flours and ½ cup brown sugar. Work in the chilled butter with a fork, pastry cutter, or your fingertips until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the pears.
- Bake for about 40 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes, then serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
Tips for Success
- Why King Comice Pears work: Their buttery, honey-sweet flesh makes an especially luscious filling. Choose pears that are just ripe and still firm, since very ripe Comice can turn too soft in the oven. The flour in the filling thickens their generous juices.
- Add a holiday twist: Toss ½ cup fresh cranberries in with the pears for bright color and a little tartness.
- No whole wheat pastry flour? Simply use 1 cup of all-purpose flour in the topping instead.
Looking for more ways to enjoy pears this season? Try our Brown Butter Pear Crepes, Pear Upside-Down Cake, or Crispy Baked Pear Chips, and shop all Pittman & Davis Pears.
