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Hi! Cara here from Big Girls, Small Kitchen, with a sweet celebration of the fruit that’s too often overlooked this time of year. The pear, with its caramel tones and sink-your-teeth-in texture, too often fails to appear between celebrations of apples and the embrace of Winter citrus. Not here, and not with me: I love pears unequivocally. And I want them to be on your holiday table. Now, there’s a lot of fuss around holiday desserts. There are bûches du noël and meticulously decorated Christmas cookies, neither quick nor easy. And there are times and places for complicated sweets! But for a casual family supper, maybe on Christmas Eve, maybe even on the day after Christmas, a homey and delicious pear crisp fits the bill better than anything else.
What’s more, you don’t have to put down your wine to eat a dessert like this. Pour one more glass of Vintner’s Reserve Pinot Noir before digging into your serving of sweet, simple, crisp. I dollop mine with crème fraîche. Vanilla ice cream works too.
Why Pears Make the Perfect Holiday Dessert
Pears are the unsung heroes of winter fruit—they’re sweet, tender, and just a little bit caramel-like when baked. Their naturally soft texture makes them ideal for crisps and cobblers, while their subtle flavor pairs beautifully with warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Unlike some fruits that fade in flavor after cooking, pears hold their shape and develop a rich, comforting sweetness that makes them perfect for holiday desserts.
This recipe highlights the humble pear in a way that’s easy, approachable, and festive, showing that a simple fruit can truly shine at the holiday table.
Key Ingredients for a Delicious Pear Crisp
The magic of this pear crisp comes from a few simple, high-quality ingredients that combine to create a comforting, flavorful dessert:
- Bosc pears – Sweet and firm, perfect for baking without turning mushy.
- Rolled oats – Add texture and a rustic, golden topping.
- Butter – Provides richness and helps create a crisp, crumbly topping.
- Sugar – Balances the tartness of the pears and caramelizes in the oven.
- Spices – Cinnamon and nutmeg give warm, seasonal flavors.
- Orange juice – Brightens the fruit and adds a hint of citrus.
- Flour & pinch of salt – Help thicken the filling and enhance overall flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Pear Crisp
Follow these simple steps to create a pear crisp that’s tender, sweet, and perfectly golden on top:
- Prep the pears: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Peel, core, and chop 5 Bosc pears into roughly 1-inch pieces. Place them in a buttered 9-inch pie pan or similar oven-safe dish.
- Mix the filling: Add 2 tablespoons orange juice, 3 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, and a pinch of salt to the pears. Toss gently to coat the fruit evenly.
- Make the crisp topping: In a separate bowl, combine ½ cup flour, ½ cup rolled oats, ½ cup sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, a pinch of salt, and 4 tablespoons softened butter. Use your fingers to press the butter into the dry ingredients until it forms crumbly clusters.
- Assemble and bake: Scatter the topping evenly over the pears. Place the dish on a baking sheet to catch any bubbling juice and bake for 45–50 minutes, until the fruit is soft and the topping is golden brown.
- Serve: Let the crisp cool slightly before serving. Pair with crème fraîche, vanilla ice cream, or enjoy as-is for a cozy holiday treat.
Homemade Pear Crisp
Recipe Type:
Dessert
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
50 minutes
Total Time:
65 minutes
Servings:
6
Ingredients
- For the fruit:
- 2½ pounds ripe Bosc pears (5 pears)
- 2 tablespoons orange juice (you can squeeze it straight from an orange if you don't want to buy a quart of OJ!)
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons flour
- pinch salt
- For the crisp topping:
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- pinch of salt
- 4 tablespoons softened butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Peel and core the pears, then chop them into about 1-inch pieces. Place them in a buttered 9-inch pie pan or a similar sized oven safe pan that will look pretty on the table. Add the orange juice, sugar, flour, and salt. Toss to combine.
- In a second bowl, combine all the crumb ingredients. Use your fingers to smash the butter into the dry ingredients, pressing everything together to form crumbs--some large, some smaller. Scatter them across the surface of the pears.
- Place the dish on a sheet pan, just in case things bubble over. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the fruit is bubbly and soft and crisp is brown.
Variations and Add-Ins for Your Pear Crisp
This pear crisp is wonderfully adaptable, so feel free to get creative and tailor it to your tastes or what’s in your pantry:
- Add nuts: Toasted walnuts, pecans, or almonds add a satisfying crunch and a nutty depth of flavor.
- Mix in berries: Cranberries, raspberries, or blueberries complement the pears’ sweetness and give a pop of color.
- Spice it up: Try a pinch of ginger, cardamom, allspice, or even a little clove for a warming, holiday twist.
- Citrus zest: Add a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to the fruit filling for extra brightness.
- Swap the topping: Almond flour, coconut flakes, or chopped graham crackers make great variations for a different texture or gluten-free option.
- Drizzle: A touch of caramel sauce, maple syrup, or honey over the finished crisp makes it extra festive and indulgent.
- Add a splash of liqueur: A teaspoon of amaretto, Grand Marnier, or rum can elevate the dessert for special occasions.
Pairing Wine with Pear Crisps
This cozy, sweet, and lightly spiced pear crisp pairs beautifully with a glass of Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Pinot Noir, one of the best Pinot Noir under $30. The wine’s bright red fruit notes and balanced acidity complement the tender pears, while subtle hints of spice enhance the cinnamon and nutmeg in the crisp topping.
Whether you’re enjoying this dessert for a casual family supper or a festive holiday gathering, a glass of this approachable Pinot Noir elevates every bite. Plus, Kendall-Jackson offers a wide portfolio of Pinot Noir and other varietals, making it easy to explore wines that suit any occasion and palate.
