Northern Spice-Spiked Apple and Pear Crisp
A warm baked crisp featuring apples and pears infused with northern-inspired warming spices and a crunchy oat topping. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 60 minutes layers medium, peeled, cored, and sliced pears, lemon juice, ground cinnamon into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 medium, peeled, cored, and sliced apples
- 2 medium, peeled, cored, and sliced pears
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 6 tbsp cold, cut into small cubes unsalted butter
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, toss 3 peeled and sliced apples and 2 peeled and sliced pears with 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/4 tsp ground ginger until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Transfer the fruit mixture to a 9-inch baking dish. In a separate bowl, combine 3/4 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup packed brown sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt. Cut in 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter with a pastry cutter or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 3: Sprinkle oat topping evenly over the fruit. Bake for 40-45 minutes until topping is golden brown and fruit is bubbling. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Northern Spice-Spiked Apple and Pear Crisp take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Northern Spice-Spiked Apple and Pear Crisp?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Northern Spice-Spiked Apple and Pear Crisp?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Northern Spice-Spiked Apple and Pear Crisp for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Northern Spice-Spiked Apple and Pear Crisp?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
