Pear Walnut Crisp

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This rustic Pear Walnut Crisp made in a cast-iron skillet is quite the show stopper. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and dig in!

Pear walnut crisp with vanilla ice cream on a plate

An easy pear dessert

We can get pears pretty much any time of year, but there is something so comforting about indulging in a warm apple crisp or pear crisp during the colder months. It’s such a tasty treat.

This Walnut Pear Crisp is a twist on your traditional pear crisp. The addition of walnuts makes it extra crunchy and flavorful, while still being super easy to whip up.

It requires just a handful of simple ingredients and a whole lot of pears. The cast-iron skillet makes the edges and topping extra crunchy. You know how I feel about that!

Top the crisp with vanilla ice cream and sit next to the fireplace. It’s the perfect way to enjoy this fall fruit!

Pear walnut crisp on a black plate

What you’ll need

Both the filling and the topping are made with just a handful of ingredients!

Ingredients

  • Butter – Use unsalted butter so you can control the amount of salt added.
  • Pears – Peel, core and cut the pears into wedges.
  • Lemon juice – Prevents the pear slices from turning brown.
  • Walnuts – Chopped so they fold easily into the dish.
  • Sugar – Both light brown sugar and granulated sugar are used in this recipe.
  • Salt
  • Ground cinnamon – Adds a warm flavor to the crisp.
  • Flour – You only need about 1 cup flour for the topping.

How to make pear walnut crisp

The ease of making this pear walnut crisp is one of the reasons it’s a favorite fall dessert!

Make the filling. Toss the pears with the lemon juice in a large bowl. Add the remaining ingredients. Toss to coat. Transfer to a greased cast-iron skillet.

Make the topping. Whisk together the flour, brown sugar, and salt. Cut in the butter until it’s broken into small pieces. Sprinkle over the fruit mixture.

Bake. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the juices are thick and bubbly.

Overhead view of pear walnut crisp on a black plate

Tips for success

If this is your first time making my pear crisp recipe, here are a few things to keep in mind.

  1. What are the best types of pears for pear crisp? You can use any variety of pears you like. I like to use multiple types for a variety in flavor. For this recipe, I used a combination of Barlett and Bosc pears.
  2. Can I use canned pears? I don’t recommend canned pears. They’ll turn out mushy and are also too sweet.
  3. Choose ripe but firm pears. When selecting your pears for your pear walnut crisp, opt for pears that are still firm. Avoid using pears that are already soft as they may become too mushy.
  4. Don’t over-mix the topping. Combine the topping until just resembles coarse crumbs. Over-mixing will cause it to lose its crumbly-ness.

Serving suggestions

Pear crisp is best served warm, either just after pulling it from the oven or reheated. I love it with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream, though others prefer it with some whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce or pure maple syrup.


How to store & reheat leftovers

  • Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, this pear crisp can be made a day ahead. Just store in an airtight container at room temperature.
  • How to store leftovers. You can store leftovers for a day at room temperature or for a few days in the fridge.
  • How to reheat leftovers. The easiest way to reheat pear crisp is to pop it in the oven at 350F until it’s heated through. You can also reheat individual servings in the microwave.

More pear desserts:

Pear walnut crisp with vanilla ice cream on a plate
4.88 from 8 votes

Pear Walnut Crisp

This rustic Pear Walnut Crisp made in a cast-iron skillet is quite the show stopper. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and prepare to be amazed at the delightful taste.
Prep Time :25 minutes
Cook Time :50 minutes
Total Time :1 hour 15 minutes
Servings :10
Author :Jen Sobjack

Ingredients

For the filling

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 pounds (907 g) pears, peeled, cored, and cut into wedges, about 5 medium
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 ½ cups (168 g) chopped walnuts
  • ½ cup (105 g) light brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the topping

  • 1 cup (130 g) all-purpose flour
  • cups (140 g) light brown sugar, packed
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, cold & cut into pieces

Instructions
 

Make the filling

  • Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Generously grease the bottom and sides of a 10-inch cast-iron skillet with the butter.
  • In a large bowl, toss the pears with lemon juice. Add the walnuts, sugars, salt, and cinnamon. Toss to coat. Transfer to the prepared skillet.

Make the topping

  • In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, brown sugar, and salt together. Use a pastry cutter or the tines of a fork to cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the pear mixture.
  • Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the juices are thick and bubbly.
  • The crisp can be made a day ahead. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Video

Notes

  • Pears: Use any variety of pear you like. I used a combination of Bartlett and Bosc pears.
Make ahead tips
  1. This pear crisp can be made a day ahead. Just store in an airtight container at room temperature.
  2. Cover leftovers tightly and store at room temperature for 1 day or in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
  3. Just before serving, pop it in the oven at 350ºF until it’s heated through. You can also reheat individual servings in the microwave.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sconeCalories: 431kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 4gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 243mgPotassium: 237mgFiber: 4gSugar: 39gVitamin A: 380IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 53mgIron: 1mg
*Nutrition Disclaimer
Course :Dessert
Cuisine :American
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Recipe Rating




38 Comments

  1. Medha @ Whisk & Shout says:

    Stunning! Love the pear and walnut combo 🙂

  2. Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says:

    This is one heck of a crisp!!!!

  3. This crisp looks so cozy and delicious, Jen! I feel the same way, crisps are one of my favorite desserts that I can never resist and I love this pear and walnut combo! No bowl needed over here either, just pass me some spoons and it would be gone in no time at our house 🙂

  4. 5 stars
    I love crisps and this sounds like a wonderful combination! Love that you made it in a skillet!

    1. Cast iron makes everything better! Thanks, Mira!

  5. Beverley @ sweaty&fit says:

    just last night i made apple crumble but now i’m regretting i didn’t use pears!! great twist on a classic

    1. You’ll have to make it with pears next time!

  6. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says:

    Jen, I recently made a chocolate chip cookie in a cast iron skillet and now my kids want everything in a skillet! so this is perfect!!!!! LOVE this rustic Pear Walnut Crisp! We would grab some spoons and go to town! love this!

    1. Cast Irons are so great for baking! I’m hooked on using mine. That chocolate chip cookie sounds delightful!

  7. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says:

    5 stars
    This crispy is gorgeous, girlfriend! I love that you used the combination of pears and walnuts in this! I can totally see why you were stealing samples and ate this right from the pan, Im 99.999% sure I would have too! Definately show stopping and seriously comforting! Pinned! Cheers my dear!

  8. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says:

    This definitely looks like a show stopper dessert, Jen! Crisps are one of my favorite desserts, so I can only imagine how delicious it must taste with walnuts and pears. Love it!

    1. Thanks, Gayle! I love crisps too! And this one was so, so good.

  9. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says:

    5 stars
    This crispy is gorgeous, girlfriend! I love that you used the combination of pears and walnuts in this! I can totally see why you were stealing samples and ate this right from the pan, Im 99.999% sure I would have too! Definately show stopping and seriously comforting! Pinned! Cheers my dear!

  10. 5 stars
    I love crisps and this sounds like a wonderful combination! Love that you made it in a skillet!