Golden Pear Walnut Crisp

Pear Crisp Recipe

Overview:

🍐 Description: A terrific way to use up the best winter fruit that we have going for us! This classic crisp has no bottom crust to get soggy. No thickener is necessary since the juices are concentrated during baking. The crisp is at its best when served warm, accompanied by caramel or vanilla ice cream. From Rose Levy Beranbaum.

⏲️ Total Time: 50 minutes

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes

🍽️ Servings: 6
🥣 Yield: 1 crisp

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 bartlett pears
• 1 bosc pears
• 4 1/2 lemon juice
• 1/8 granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 salt
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 light brown sugar
• 1 cup walnuts
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preparation:

   • Adjust the oven rack to the position 1 up from the bottom position.
   • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
   • Have ready a 9-inch square baking dish or a 6-cup casserole dish.
   • If using a glass dish, reduce the temperature to 375°F (190°C).

2. Prepare the Pears:

   • In a large bowl, gently toss the pears with the lemon juice, granulated sugar, and salt to combine.
   • Set aside, stirring occasionally, for 30 to 60 minutes.

3. Prepare the Topping:

   • If using a food processor:
     • Pulse together the brown sugar, walnuts, salt, and cinnamon until the nuts are coarsely chopped.
     • Add the flour, butter, and vanilla. Pulse until the mixture is coarse and crumbly.
     • Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
   • If mixing by hand:
     • In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, walnuts, salt, cinnamon, and flour.
     • Using your fingertips, smash any lumps of sugar.
     • Using a pastry blender or knives, cut in the butter and vanilla until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
     • Lightly pinch together the mixture to form little clumps. Set aside.

4. Assemble the Crisp:

   • Place a colander over a large bowl.
   • Transfer the pear mixture to the colander and drain.
   • Transfer the pears to the baking dish; set aside and reserve the liquid.
   • Pour the liquid into a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat.
   • Add the reserved butter and cook until the mixture reduces to 3 tablespoons, about 10 minutes.
   • Pour the liquid over the pears in the baking dish.
   • Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 30 minutes, until a sharp knife meets with only a little resistance when inserted into a pear.

5. Final Steps:

   • Remove and discard the foil and sprinkle the pears evenly with the reserved topping.
   • Bake, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes, until the topping is crisp and golden-brown.
   • The fruit juices should be bubbling, and the pears should be tender but not mushy when a small sharp knife is inserted.
   • Transfer the baking dish to a wire rack to cool.
   • Serve warm or at room temperature.
   • May cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Enjoy your delightful Pear Crisp! 🍐🥧