Description
Maple Cinnamon Pear Crumble is an easy homemade dessert featuring ripe but firm pears, pure maple syrup, warm cinnamon, and a buttery oat topping. The pears soften during baking while the crumble turns golden and crisp. Lemon juice balances the sweetness, and cornstarch thickens the natural fruit juices. You don’t need pastry dough or complicated steps. Simply prepare the pears, mix the oat topping, and bake until bubbling. Let the dessert rest briefly before serving with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or plain yogurt for a cozy family treat.
Ingredients
- 2 lb (900 g) ripe but firm pears, peeled, cored, and cut into ½-inch pieces
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt, divided
- ¾ cup (65 g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup (70 g) packed light brown sugar
- 5 tablespoons (70 g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- ¼ cup (30 g) chopped walnuts, optional
- Plain yogurt, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream, optional
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly butter an 8-inch square baking dish. Place the prepared pears in a large mixing bowl. Add maple syrup, lemon juice, cornstarch, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and ⅛ teaspoon salt. Toss gently until the fruit is evenly coated.
2. Transfer the pear mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread the fruit evenly and scrape any remaining maple mixture from the bowl over the pears.
3. In a separate bowl, combine rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, remaining ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and remaining ⅛ teaspoon salt. Add melted butter and stir with a fork until small clusters form. Fold in chopped walnuts if using. Scatter the topping loosely and evenly over the pears.
4. Bake on the middle oven rack for 35–40 minutes until the topping turns golden brown and pear juices bubble around the edges. Test a pear piece with a small knife to confirm tenderness. If the topping browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil and continue baking.
5. Remove the crumble from the oven and place it on a cooling rack. Rest for at least 15 minutes so the filling thickens. Spoon into bowls and serve warm with plain yogurt, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream if desired.
Notes
- Choose ripe but firm Bosc or Bartlett pears for the best texture.
- Use pure maple syrup for the intended flavor.
- Cut pears into evenly sized pieces so they cook consistently.
- Scatter the oat topping loosely instead of pressing it into a dense layer.
- Let the crumble rest for at least 15 minutes before serving.
- For a nut-free version, omit the walnuts.
- For a gluten-free version, use certified gluten-free oats and a suitable gluten-free flour blend.
- Refrigerate covered leftovers within two hours and enjoy within 3–4 days.
- Freeze well-wrapped portions for up to two months for best quality.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe