Pear crumble is the cozy fall dessert that deserves as much love as apple crisp. Ripe pears turn soft, jammy, and honey-sweet in the oven, and a buttery oat topping bakes up golden and crisp right on top.
I add cinnamon, ginger, and a pinch of cardamom, so the whole kitchen smells like the holidays. It takes about 20 minutes to put together and always disappears while it is still warm.
If you love fruit desserts, try my classic cinnamon apple crumble and this easy berry crumble. And if you have extra pears, make a batch of spiced honey pear jam.
JUMP TO
- Why You’ll Love This Spiced Pear Crumble
- What Is Spiced Pear Crumble?
- Ingredients
- Kitchen Equipment
- Ingredient Tips
- How to Make Spiced Pear Crumble
- Expert Tips for Perfect Spiced Pear Crumble
- Delicious Variations
- What to Serve with Spiced Pear Crumble
- Storage Instructions
- Can You Make It Ahead?
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Estimated Nutrition
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Why You’ll Love This Spiced Pear Crumble
It is simple, seasonal, and full of warm flavor.
Juicy Spiced Pears
Cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom make pears taste extra special.
Crunchy Oat Topping
Brown sugar, oats, and butter bake into crisp golden clusters.
Easy Prep
No crust, no mixer, and one baking dish.
Crowd Friendly
It serves eight and scales easily.
Great Warm or Cold
Delicious from the oven or straight from the fridge the next day.
What Is Spiced Pear Crumble?
A pear crumble is a baked fruit dessert made with sliced pears on the bottom and a crumbly topping of flour, oats, sugar, and butter. In the US, people often call it a pear crisp when the topping includes oats.
This version leans holiday-style with warm spices and a touch of vanilla in the filling.
Ingredients
Pear Filling
| Ingredient | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Ripe but firm pears, peeled and sliced (about 6 to 7 pears) | 7 cups | Juicy fruit base |
| Light brown sugar, packed | ⅓ cup | Sweetness |
| Cornstarch | 2 tablespoons | Thickens juices |
| Lemon juice | 1 tablespoon | Brightness |
| Ground cinnamon | 1 teaspoon | Warm spice |
| Ground ginger | ½ teaspoon | Gentle heat |
| Ground cardamom | ¼ teaspoon | Floral spice |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon | Flavor |
| Salt | Pinch | Balance |
Oat Crumble Topping
| Ingredient | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 1 cup | Structure |
| Old-fashioned rolled oats | ¾ cup | Chewy crunch |
| Light brown sugar, packed | ½ cup | Caramel flavor |
| Ground cinnamon | 1 teaspoon | Spice |
| Salt | ¼ teaspoon | Balance |
| Cold unsalted butter, cubed | ½ cup | Crisp clusters |
| Chopped pecans (optional) | ½ cup | Nutty crunch |
For Serving
| Ingredient | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Vanilla ice cream | As desired | Creamy contrast |
Kitchen Equipment
- 9×9-inch or 2-quart baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium mixing bowl
- Pastry cutter or fingertips
- Vegetable peeler
- Rimmed baking sheet
Ingredient Tips
Pick the Right Pears
Bartlett, Bosc, or Anjou that are ripe but still firm keep their shape.
Skip Mushy Pears
Overripe pears turn watery and soft.
Use Rolled Oats
Quick oats make a pasty topping.
Keep Butter Cold
Cold butter creates crisp, chunky clusters.
Fresh Spices
Cardamom especially fades quickly in the jar.
How to Make Spiced Pear Crumble
Step 1: Heat the Oven
Heat the oven to 375°F and butter a 9×9-inch or 2-quart baking dish.
Step 2: Make the Filling
Toss the sliced pears with brown sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, vanilla, and salt. Spread in the baking dish.
Step 3: Mix the Topping
In another bowl, stir together the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Work in the cold butter with your fingertips until clumpy. Stir in the pecans, if using.
Step 4: Top the Pears
Scatter the crumble evenly over the pears, leaving some large clusters.
Step 5: Bake
Set the dish on a baking sheet and bake 40 to 45 minutes, until the topping is deep golden and the juices bubble thickly around the edges.
Step 6: Rest and Serve
Cool for 15 minutes so the juices thicken, then serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
Expert Tips for Perfect Spiced Pear Crumble
Slice Evenly
Even slices bake evenly.
Squeeze the Crumble
Press some topping into clumps for bakery-style chunks.
Bubbling Is Your Signal
The juices must bubble for the cornstarch to thicken.
Tent if Needed
Lay foil loosely on top if it browns too fast.
Add Crystallized Ginger
A tablespoon of minced crystallized ginger adds sparkle.
Delicious Variations
Pear Cranberry Crumble
Add 1 cup fresh cranberries and 2 tablespoons extra sugar.
Apple Pear Crumble
Use half apples and half pears.
Gluten-Free
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour and certified gluten-free oats.
Maple Pear
Swap the brown sugar in the filling for maple syrup and add 1 extra teaspoon cornstarch.
Chai Spiced
Add a pinch of cloves and black pepper with the other spices.
What to Serve with Spiced Pear Crumble
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of heavy cream.
It is also lovely for brunch with a spoonful of Greek yogurt.
Storage Instructions
| Storage Method | How Long | Best Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 1 day | Covered loosely |
| Refrigerator | 4 days | Covered with foil or a lid |
| Freezer | 3 months | Baked and cooled, wrapped well |
Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes to re-crisp the topping.
The microwave works for a single serving but softens the crumble.
Can You Make It Ahead?
Make the topping up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate, or freeze it for up to 3 months.
Slice pears just before baking so they do not brown.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Watery Filling
Pears were overripe or the crumble was underbaked.
Soggy Topping
Butter was too warm or the topping was pressed flat.
Burnt Top, Raw Fruit
Oven ran hot; tent with foil.
Using Quick Oats
They turn pasty.
Serving Too Soon
Give it 15 minutes to set.
Estimated Nutrition
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 330 |
| Carbohydrates | 52g |
| Protein | 3g |
| Fat | 14g |
| Saturated Fat | 7g |
| Fiber | 6g |
| Sugar | 30g |
| Sodium | 95mg |
| Cholesterol | 30mg |
Estimate per serving with pecans, without ice cream.
Frequently Asked Questions
What pears are best for pear crumble?
Bosc, Bartlett, and Anjou pears that are ripe but still firm work best.
Do I need to peel the pears?
Peeling gives the softest texture, but thin-skinned Bartlett pears can be left unpeeled.
What is the difference between a crumble and a crisp?
They are very similar. Crisps usually include oats; crumbles traditionally do not, but the names are used interchangeably in the US.
Can I use canned pears?
Yes. Drain them well, reduce the sugar slightly, and bake about 30 minutes.
Can I make pear crumble ahead of time?
Yes. Bake it a day ahead and rewarm at 350°F, or prepare the topping in advance.
Conclusion
This spiced pear crumble is proof that pears deserve a spot on your fall dessert menu. Soft, spiced fruit and a crunchy oat topping are a perfect match.
Serve it warm, add a big scoop of ice cream, and enjoy every cozy bite.
PrintSpiced Pear Crumble with Buttery Oat Topping
Juicy pears baked with cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom under a golden, buttery oat crumble. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Pear Filling
7 cups ripe but firm pears, peeled and sliced (about 6 to 7 pears)
⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch salt
Oat Crumble Topping
1 cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
½ cup light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
½ cup chopped pecans (optional)
For Serving
As desired vanilla ice cream
Instructions
Heat the oven to 375°F and butter a 9×9-inch or 2-quart baking dish.
Toss the sliced pears with brown sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, vanilla, and salt. Spread in the baking dish.
In another bowl, stir together the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Work in the cold butter with your fingertips until clumpy. Stir in the pecans, if using.
Scatter the crumble evenly over the pears, leaving some large clusters.
Set the dish on a baking sheet and bake 40 to 45 minutes, until the topping is deep golden and the juices bubble thickly around the edges.
Cool for 15 minutes so the juices thicken, then serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Use ripe but firm pears.
Keep the butter cold for a crisp topping.
Bake until the juices bubble.
Rest 15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
