It’s fall and I know everyone is all about that pumpkin spice. Hey, I’m not knocking it. I love pumpkin spice too, but need I remind you it’s also apple season? And pear season too!
Every year, my family and I have this tradition where we go apple picking. Even though my husband and I moved to Charlotte, that didn’t change a thing. We still upheld our annual apple picking tradition by going to a small orchard to pick apples a few weeks ago.
When I got home, I was so excited to do some baking with my fresh-picked apples. I decided to make an Apple Pear Crisp. I love making Apple Crisp as it’s one of my favorite desserts. That crisp, nice and crunchy crumb topping on top with the soft and sweet apples beneath are the perfect pairing. And speaking of pairing, pairing it with pears makes it even more heavenly!
If you’ve never had apple crisp before, where have you been?!? It’s pretty much an apple pie without a crust. This recipe is super easy to make so once you try it, I’m sure you’ll be making my Apple Pear Crisp all season.
I started by slicing the apples and pears. Then I added a little flour and sugar, and seasoned it with pumpkin pie spice. See? I’ve got your pumpkin spice covered here! FYI, pumpkin spice isn’t just for pumpkin pie, you know. Those flavors just scream fall for me and they can be used in so many different ways.
The topping was a mixture of flour and oatmeal, along with some chopped nuts, butter, sugar and a little more pumpkin spice. I baked it in the oven and drooled all over myself from that heavenly aroma. It was worth the wait. When it was done, I had this scrumptious fall dessert that you are just going to love!
Apple Pear Crisp
Ingredients
2-1/2 lb. apples and pears (about 6 medium), peeled, quartered, cored, and sliced
1/3 cup. granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. Pumpkin spice
2 Tbs. all purpose flour
For the crisp topping:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup oatmeal
2 Tbs. brown sugar
2 tbsp honey
1/2 cup finely chopped nuts (I like pecans)
4 oz. (8 Tbs.) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces and chilled
1/2 tsp pumpkin spice
Directions
Heat the oven to 350°F.
To make the filling:
Toss the apples with sugar, Pumpkin Spice and flour. Place them in a 9 x 13 baking dish that’s about 2 inches deep
To make the topping:
In a medium bowl, mix together all the topping ingredients with your fingers or a pastry cutter until small pebbly pieces of butter are distributed throughout the mixture. Sprinkle the entire mixture over the apples. Bake until the topping is golden and the fruit is bubbling and tender, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Cool slightly before serving.