Imagine a dessert that combines the delicate sweetness of Asian pears with the rich, caramel-like notes of maple syrup, all nestled beneath a crispy, golden oat topping that crackles with every spoonful. This Asian Pear Maple Crisp is not just a dessert—it's a culinary journey that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary experience that will have your taste buds dancing and your guests begging for the recipe.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs
Cuisine: Asian
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 4 medium Asian pears, sliced
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This allows the oven to reach the right temperature while you prepare the ingredients.
- Wash the Asian pears thoroughly. Slice them into thin wedges, removing the core and seeds. Aim for uniform thickness to ensure even cooking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced Asian pears, maple syrup, and lemon juice. Toss gently to coat the pears evenly with the mixture. The lemon juice will help prevent browning and add a nice tang to balance the sweetness.
- Transfer the pear mixture into a greased 9x9-inch baking dish or a similar-sized casserole dish, spreading it out evenly across the bottom.
- In another bowl, mix together the rolled oats, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and cinnamon. Stir until well combined.
- Pour the melted unsalted butter into the dry oat mixture. Use a fork or your fingers to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This will create a crunchy topping for the crisp.
- Evenly distribute the oat mixture over the top of the sliced pears in the baking dish, ensuring that the fruit is well covered.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the pears are tender. You can check for doneness by inserting a fork into the pears; they should be soft but not mushy.
- Once cooked, remove the crisp from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes. This will help the juices settle.
- Serve the Asian Pear Maple Crisp warm, optionally topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Tips
- Choose ripe but firm Asian pears for the best texture and flavor. Look for pears that yield slightly when gently pressed but aren't too soft.
- For an extra flavor boost, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or a handful of chopped nuts like pecans to the crumble topping.
- To prevent a soggy bottom, make sure to drain any excess liquid from the pears before adding the crumble topping.
- For a more caramelized top, broil the crisp for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- This dessert is best served warm, but can be made ahead and reheated. The flavors actually develop and become more complex as it sits.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with almond flour or a gluten-free blend.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 42g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 20mg
