Easy Fall Dessert

Fresh juicy apples are one of my favorite parts of fall. One of the best things about apples is how they taste so good in a variety of ways. Some of my favorites are dipping them in an apple dip, enjoying them in a sweet pie, or making a simple applesauce.

When I need a showstopper dessert, this Caramel Apple Pear Crisp is a must-have recipe. Everyone is familiar with apple crisp but the caramel and pears make it unique. It is a twist on a classic dessert that everyone will enjoy with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top. Easy enough for a weeknight treat but always a hit at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday meal.

Ingredients

• Apples– Truly any type of apple will taste fantastic in this dessert with only subtle differences. For a more crispy apple, try Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. For a softer and slightly sweeter apple, try Gala or Fuji.
• Pears– Most varieties of pears work for this recipe. Bartlett, Bosc, or Anjou pair nicely with apples.
• Caramel– Either homemade or jarred would taste fantastic. Premade caramel is often found in both the fresh produce section and the ice cream topping section in grocery stores.
• Old-fashioned oats– The key ingredient in the crispy topping. Quick oats could also be used but will have a slightly more powdery texture similar to flour.
• Lemon juice– This helps to keep the apples and pears from browning too quickly.
• Butter– It is easiest to crumble when it is softened but still cool.
• All-purpose flour
• White granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Salt

How to make it

This crisp is so simple to make. All you have to do is:

1. Make topping- Mix together oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt together in a medium-sized bowl. Then add the cubed butter and make the crispy top. The best way to do this is with a pastry cutter, a fork, or by using your hands. Mix until there are pea-sized pieces. Set this aside in the refrigerator until ready to put it on top.
2. Mix filling– Add flour, white sugar, and cinnamon to a small bowl and set this aside.
3. Prepare the apples and pears– Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples and pears and place them in a large bowl. You will want them to be around 1/4 inch in thickness. Toss them with lemon juice to keep them from browning too quickly. Now add the filling mix and stir it all together so that all of the apples and pears are covered in the cinnamon sugar. Pour them into the baking pan.
4. Add caramel and topping– Drizzle the caramel all over the top of the apples and pears. Sprinkle the topping over the entire top of the apples and pears.
5. Bake– Leave it uncovered and bake for around 45 minutes. The apples and pears will be softened, the caramel filling will be bubbling, and the oat top will be slightly browned and crispy.
6. Enjoy– Serve it warm by itself or with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Drizzle a little more caramel over the top for an extra burst of sweetness.

Make Ahead Options

This dessert is easy to make ahead. Just prepare as directed before baking and cover. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add a few extra minutes of baking time for a cold crisp.

You can also freeze it! Cover it tightly in an air-tight container and freeze an unbaked crisp for up to three months before baking. Allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.

Frequently Asked Questions