Introduction

Oh, the smell of baking fruit! Does anything say “cozy” quite like a warm, bubbling fruit crumble straight from the oven? This pear crumble recipe is like a warm hug on a chilly afternoon. It’s the kind of dessert that brings people together, the kind that whispers memories of childhood kitchens and happy gatherings. And the best part? It’s surprisingly simple to whip up, making it perfect for those days when you crave something sweet and comforting without a lot of fuss. You’ll be amazed at how quickly this deliciousness comes together!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Ready to bake in under 20 minutes!
Easy: No fancy techniques required, just simple mixing and layering.
Giftable: Bake it in a cute ramekin, wrap it up, and share the love!
Crowd-pleasing: Who can resist sweet, tender pears topped with a buttery, spiced crumble?

Ingredients

Let’s gather our goodies! The beauty of this pear crumble is that it uses ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

For the Pear Filling:

3 pounds pears (about 8 pears, 8 cups sliced pears): I like to use a mix of varieties for the best flavor and texture. Bosc, Anjou, and Bartlett pears all work wonderfully. Make sure they’re ripe but still firm so they don’t get too mushy when baked.
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract: A little splash of vanilla goes a long way in adding warmth and depth.
½ cup granulated sugar (112 g): This sweetens the pears perfectly. You can adjust this slightly depending on how sweet your pears are.
3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour: This acts as our thickener, ensuring a lovely, saucy filling without being watery.
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: The quintessential spice for fall and winter baking! It pairs so beautifully with pears.
⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and really make those pear flavors pop.

For the Crumble Topping:

¾ cup all-purpose flour: The base of our delicious crumble.
½ cup granulated sugar: For that perfect sweet crunch.
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon: Doubling up on that cozy cinnamon flavor.
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt: Again, just a touch to enhance all the flavors.
½ cup salted butter (softened): This is key! Softened butter, not melted, helps create those lovely craggy crumble pieces. Using salted butter adds a nice savory note.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get our hands a little floury and make some magic!

Preheat your oven and prep your dish: Get your oven nice and warm, set to 375°F (190°C). Grab an 8×8 inch baking dish or a similar-sized oven-safe dish.
Toss the pears: Peel, core, and slice your pears into about ½-inch thick pieces. Pop them into a large bowl. Add the vanilla extract, ½ cup granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons of flour, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and ⅛ teaspoon of salt. Gently toss everything together until the pear slices are nicely coated. Pour this lovely pear mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
Make the crumble topping: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together ¾ cup of flour, ½ cup of granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon of salt.
Cut in the butter: Add your softened butter to the dry ingredients. Now, here’s where you can use your fingertips, a pastry blender, or even two forks. Work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, with some larger, pea-sized pieces of butter still visible. This is what gives you that perfect crumbly texture!
Top and bake: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the pear mixture in the baking dish. Make sure to cover all those juicy pears!
Bake until golden: Pop the dish into your preheated oven. Bake for about 35-45 minutes, or until the topping is beautifully golden brown and the pear filling is bubbling around the edges.
Cool and serve: This is the hardest part – letting it cool for a bit! Let your pear crumble rest for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set up slightly.

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is fantastic as is, but if you’re feeling adventurous, here are a few ideas to make it your own!

Different Fruits: While pears are divine, feel free to try this with apples, peaches, or even a mix of berries. You might need to adjust the sugar depending on the sweetness of the fruit.
Nutty Crunch: For an extra layer of texture and flavor, mix ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into the crumble topping. They are absolutely divine with pears!
Oats for Texture: Add ½ cup of rolled oats (not instant!) to the crumble topping for a chewier texture.
Spice It Up: A pinch of nutmeg or cardamom in the crumble topping is a wonderful addition.
Citrus Zest: Add a tablespoon of orange or lemon zest to the pear filling for a bright, fresh note.

Tips for Success

A few little tricks up my sleeve to ensure your pear crumble is absolutely perfect every time!

Pear Ripeness is Key: Overripe pears can become too soft and mushy. Aim for pears that give slightly when you gently squeeze them, but aren’t overly soft.
Don’t Overmix the Crumble: Resist the urge to overwork the crumble topping. Those little bits of butter are crucial for creating the best texture!
Watch for Bubbles: The bubbling filling is your cue that it’s ready! If the topping is browning too quickly before the filling is bubbly, you can loosely tent the dish with foil.
Prep Ahead: You can assemble the entire crumble up to a day in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Just pop it in the oven when you’re ready to bake (you might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time).

How to Store It

This crumble is best enjoyed fresh, but if you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare in my house!), you can store them easily.

Refrigeration: Let the crumble cool completely, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: To reheat, place a serving in a small oven-safe dish and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through. Alternatively, you can microwave it, but the topping might lose some of its crispiness.

FAQs

Can I make this pear crumble ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the entire crumble up to 24 hours in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

What kind of pears should I use?

A mix of firm, ripe pears like Bosc, Anjou, or Bartlett work wonderfully. Avoid very soft or mushy pears, as they can result in a watery filling.

Can I freeze pear crumble?

While it’s best fresh, you can freeze unbaked or baked and cooled crumble. For unbaked, freeze assembled in the dish and bake from frozen (adding extra time). For baked, freeze individual portions or the whole dish once cooled, thaw in the fridge, and reheat.

What should I serve with pear crumble?

A scoop of vanilla ice cream is classic for a reason! Whipped cream or a drizzle of heavy cream are also delicious accompaniments.

Cozy Pear Crumble

A warm, comforting, and surprisingly simple pear crumble recipe perfect for a chilly afternoon. Features tender pears topped with a buttery, spiced crumble.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 45

Servings 8 servings

Equipment

8x8 inch baking dish or similar sized oven-safe dish
Large bowl
Medium bowl
pastry blender optional
Forks optional

Ingredients

Pear Filling

3 pounds pears about 8 pears, use a mix of Bosc, Anjou, or Bartlett; ripe but firm
0.5 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
0.5 cup granulated sugar adjust based on pear sweetness
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour for thickening
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
0.125 teaspoon fine sea salt

Crumble Topping

0.75 cup all-purpose flour
0.5 cup granulated sugar
0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
0.25 teaspoon fine sea salt
0.5 cup salted butter softened

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare an 8x8 inch baking dish or similar oven-safe dish.
Peel, core, and slice pears into about ½-inch thick pieces. Place in a large bowl. Add vanilla extract, ½ cup granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ⅛ teaspoon salt. Toss gently to coat the pear slices. Pour into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
3 pounds pears
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together ¾ cup flour, ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt.
3 pounds pears
Add the softened butter to the dry ingredients. Use your fingertips, a pastry blender, or two forks to work the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
3 pounds pears
Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the pear mixture in the baking dish.
Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the pear filling is bubbling around the edges.
Let the crumble cool for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set.

Notes

For an extra nutty crunch, add ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping. A pinch of nutmeg or cardamom can also enhance the flavor. Adding orange or lemon zest to the pear filling provides a bright, fresh note.