Pear And Sour Cherry Crisp
This Pear and Sour Cherry Crisp offers a delightful blend of sweet and tart flavors, making it a perfect dessert for any fruit lover. The warm, spiced fruit contrasts beautifully with the crunchy topping, creating a comforting dish that's ideal for family gatherings or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°.
- Combine flour, 1/3 cup sugar, salt, and nutmeg.
- Cut in butter until the mixture is crumbly.
- Peel and core pears and cut into chunks.
- Drain cherries.
- Combine pears and cherries with remaining 2/3 cup sugar and cornstarch.
- Put the fruit mixture in a 2-quart baking dish.
- Sprinkle crumb topping over the fruit.
- Bake until golden, about 1 hour.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon along with the nutmeg. You can substitute the butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free option. If fresh pears are unavailable, canned pears can work in a pinch, but reduce the sugar since they're often syrupy. This crisp is also delicious served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, making it a fantastic dessert.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the pear and sour cherry crisp warm, ideally topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for added indulgence. This dish pairs beautifully with a side of Cauliflower Dip as an appetizer or a light salad to balance the sweetness. It also makes a great brunch dish alongside Icebox Bran Muffins.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes until heated through. This will help maintain the crispiness of the topping while warming the fruit filling.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Pear And Sour Cherry Crisp contains roughly 721 calories, with 3g protein, 28g carbohydrates, and 68g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (30% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 882mg per serving (38% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen cherries instead of canned?
Yes, you can use frozen tart cherries! Just thaw and drain them before mixing with the pears. You may want to increase the cornstarch slightly to account for the extra moisture from the thawed fruit.
What if I don't have pears?
If pears are not available, you can substitute with apples or a mix of both. Tart apples like Granny Smith will provide a nice balance with the cherries, but adjust the sugar based on the sweetness of the apples used.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the fruit mixture and crumb topping separately, then assemble just before baking. Alternatively, you can fully bake the crisp in advance and reheat it in the oven when ready to serve.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).