FALLEN APPLE: Apple Pear Crisp

 

While apple picking season in New England has come to a close, there are still so many different tasty apple varieties at the grocery store and farmers market. I wanted to make something fall-esque so I decided to make an apple pear crisp (I had some ripe pears at home already – don’t you love when that happens?!). It made the apartment smell amazing and it was a tasty dessert!
 
Adapted from Inspired Taste
 
Ingredients for Filling:
6 medium apples, peeled, cored and chopped (I used several different kinds of apples – some green, some red)
2 pears, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Ingredients for Topping:
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup brown sugar + 1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted (1 stick)

1/8 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:
 
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a rectangular dish with PAM or butter it up.
2.  Core apples then cut them up into small/medium size pieces. Peel and chop up the pears. Add apples and pears to a large bowl with orange juice, sugar, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. Stir then add to baking dish.
3.  To make the topping, combine flour, sugar, oats and the salt in a medium bowl. I also added a little shake of cinnamon to the topping to add something a little extra. Add the melted butter or margarine then stir until all the flour has been moistened by the butter and topping is crumbly. Sprinkle over apple/pear filling. I typically use my hands for this part – it is just easier and more fun!
4.  Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes or until juices are thickened, the apples and pears are tender and the topping is golden brown. 
5. Serve with some vanilla ice cream or So Delicious Soy Ice Cream! You could also pair this with a nice cold glass of Night Shift Fallen Apple beer.