Pear Crumble Recipe

The Golden Pear Crumble Recipe: Sweet & Buttery Bliss

Sweet memories often bloom around a homemade pear crumble that whispers comfort and warmth.

Clusters of ripe, juicy fruit nestle beneath a golden, crispy topping that crackles with each spoonful.

Autumn’s gentle embrace arrives through this simple dessert, inviting you to savor each delectable bite.

Fragrant cinnamon and nutmeg dance alongside soft, caramelized pears, creating a symphony of rustic flavors.

Baking this treat fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma that draws everyone closer.

Perfectly balanced between tart and sweet, this dessert promises to become a cherished recipe you’ll return to again and again.

Grab a fork and indulge in pure, uncomplicated deliciousness that celebrates the season’s bounty.

Why Mary Berry Pear Crumble Is A Sweet Comfort

  • Savor Simple Seasonal Delights: This pear crumble celebrates fresh autumn produce with minimal ingredients and straightforward preparation, perfect for home cooks wanting to enjoy natural fruit flavors.
  • Create Quick Comfort Food: Requiring just a few basic steps, this recipe transforms ordinary pears into a warm, inviting dessert that fills your kitchen with delightful aromas and satisfies sweet cravings.
  • Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows personalization by swapping almonds for different nuts, adjusting sugar levels, or adding spices like cinnamon to match individual taste preferences.
  • Serve Versatile Dessert: Works wonderfully as a cozy family dessert, elegant dinner party finale, or casual weekend treat that appeals to all ages and can be paired with various toppings like cream or ice cream.

Mary Berry Pear Crumble Ingredient List

Fruits:
  • Pears: Ripe and sweet pears form the delicious base of this comforting dessert.
Base Ingredients:
  • Lemon Zest: Bright citrus zest adds a fresh, tangy note to the pear mixture.
  • Caster Sugar: Fine sugar helps to sweeten and enhance the natural flavor of the pears.
Crumble Topping:
  • Flour, Butter: These classic ingredients create a rich and tender crumbly texture.
  • Oats: Hearty oats provide a nutty flavor and additional crunch to the topping.
  • Almonds: Crunchy almonds add a delightful nutty dimension to the crumble.
  • Demerara Sugar: Coarse sugar creates a golden, crispy top layer with a caramel-like finish.
Serving Suggestions:
  • Cream, Ice Cream: Cool and creamy accompaniments complement the warm fruit crumble.

Simple Steps For Mary Berry Pear Crumble

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 180C (350F) and let it get toasty while you prepare the crumble.

Step 2: Prepare the Pear Base

Carefully peel and slice your pears into delightful bite-sized pieces. Toss them with:
  • Zesty lemon zest
  • Sweet caster sugar

Spread the pear mixture evenly in a baking dish, creating a delicious foundation for your crumble.

Step 3: Create the Crumble Topping

Grab a mixing bowl and start working magic with your ingredients. Gently rub butter into flour until the mixture looks like coarse breadcrumbs. Fold in:
  • Rolled oats
  • Crunchy almonds

Mix everything until it develops a lovely, crumbly texture that promises a delightful crunch.

Step 4: Assemble and Decorate

Sprinkle the golden crumble topping generously over the pear base. Dust the surface with a sparkling layer of demerara sugar for extra caramelized goodness.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven. Let it bake for 40-45 minutes until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and the pears start bubbling with excitement.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Serve warm with a luxurious dollop of cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate comfort dessert.

Tips That Work For Mary Berry Pear Crumble

  • Pick Perfect Pears: Choose ripe but firm pears that hold their shape during baking, avoiding overly soft or bruised fruits.
  • Zest for Brightness: Add lemon zest to enhance the natural sweetness of pears and provide a subtle citrusy background flavor.
  • Prevent Browning Trick: Toss sliced pears with lemon juice to stop them from oxidizing and maintaining a fresh appearance.
  • Texture Magic: Ensure crumble topping stays crispy by not overmixing and keeping some butter chunks for a crunchy finish.
  • Serving Suggestion: Warm the crumble slightly before serving to release the aromatic flavors and pair with vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Fresh Takes On Mary Berry Pear Crumble

  • Gluten-Free Pear Crumble: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free oat flour for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Vegan Pear Delight: Swap butter with coconut oil and use maple syrup instead of sugar. Add chopped walnuts for extra protein.
  • Apple-Pear Fusion: Combine sliced apples and pears for a mixed fruit crumble with enhanced flavor complexity.
  • Low-Sugar Option: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener to reduce overall sugar content while maintaining a delicious dessert profile.

Great Matches With Mary Berry Pear Crumble

  • Pair with Warm Vanilla Custard: Silky smooth custard complements the rustic pear crumble, enhancing its sweet and textured profile with a luxurious creamy touch.
  • Serve with Spiced Chai Latte: The aromatic tea's warm spices like cinnamon and cardamom beautifully echo the nutty almond and pear flavors in the dessert.
  • Match with Aged Riesling: A slightly sweet white wine with crisp acidity cuts through the buttery crumble and highlights the pears' delicate natural sweetness.
  • Enjoy with Caramel Macchiato: The coffee's rich caramel notes and creamy texture create a decadent counterpoint to the crunchy, fruity dessert.

Best Way To Store Mary Berry Pear Crumble

  • Store leftover pear crumble in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the crumbly topping crisp and fresh.
  • Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil, storing for 2-3 months without losing flavor or texture.
  • Warm at 160C (325F) for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent burning and maintain moisture, ensuring the topping stays crunchy.
  • Heat individual portions for 30-45 seconds, adding a small splash of water to prevent drying out, stirring halfway through for even warming.

FAQs About Mary Berry Pear Crumble

  • Can I use different types of pears for this recipe?

Yes, you can use various pear varieties like Bosc, Anjou, or Bartlett. Just ensure they’re ripe but firm for the best texture.

  • Is it necessary to use lemon zest?

Lemon zest adds brightness and helps prevent pears from browning, but you can omit it if you don’t have it on hand.

  • Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Substitute regular flour with gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free oats to make the crumble suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals.

  • How ripe should the pears be?

Choose pears that are ripe but still slightly firm. Overly soft pears will turn mushy during baking and lose their shape.

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Pear Crumble Recipe

Pear Crumble Recipe


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4.8 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 55-60 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Homemade Pear Crumble brings rustic comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending sweet ripe pears with a golden, buttery crumble topping. Warm spices and caramelized fruit invite you to savor each delightful spoonful of this classic autumn dessert.


Ingredients

Scale

Fresh Produce:

  • 6 pears (ripe)
  • 1 lemon (zest)

Dry Ingredients:

  • 175 grams (6.2 ounces) plain flour
  • 50 grams (1.8 ounces) rolled oats
  • 50 grams (1.8 ounces) ground almonds

Sweeteners and Fats:

  • 100 grams (3.5 ounces) caster sugar
  • 25 grams (0.9 ounces) demerara sugar
  • 100 grams (3.5 ounces) cold unsalted butter

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 180°C (350°F) to prepare for baking the dessert.
  2. Carefully remove the skin from pears, extract the cores, and slice them into uniform pieces.
  3. Gently combine pear slices with fragrant lemon zest and sweet caster sugar in a suitable baking dish, ensuring even distribution.
  4. Using fingertips, delicately work cold butter into flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
  5. Incorporate rolled oats and chopped almonds into the crumbly flour mixture, creating a textured topping.
  6. Evenly distribute the nutty crumble mixture across the seasoned pear base, covering the fruit completely.
  7. Sprinkle demerara sugar over the top to create a sparkling, caramelized crust during baking.
  8. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes until the surface turns golden brown and the fruit filling becomes bubbly.
  9. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to settle.
  10. Serve warm, accompanied by a dollop of fresh cream or a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.

Notes

  • Choose ripe but firm pears to prevent mushy texture and maintain perfect bite in the crumble.
  • Adjust sugar levels based on natural sweetness of pears, tasting fruit before adding sugar to balance flavors.
  • Toast almonds briefly before adding to crumble topping to enhance their nutty depth and create extra crunch.
  • Make this recipe gluten-free by substituting regular flour with almond or coconut flour, keeping the same delightful texture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: British

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 327kcal
  • Sugar: 29g
  • Sodium: 2mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 44g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Creating single-serving recipes tailored for individuals, small households, or meal preppers
  • Culinary arts with a focus on clean plating and natural styling for food photography
  • Working with fermented ingredients and dairy-based cooking techniques
  • Designing seasonal menus that use fresh, locally sourced produce

Education

Cascade Culinary Institute – Bend, OR

  • Program: Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Gained hands-on experience in professional kitchens, learning advanced recipe development, seasonal ingredient sourcing, and simple, beautiful food presentation.

ServSafe Food Handler Certification – Portland, OR

  • Program: Food Safety Certification
    Focus: Certified in core food safety and hygiene principles for both home and professional kitchens, with emphasis on ingredient handling, kitchen cleanliness, and safe preparation methods.

Mike’s kitchen journey began with a single goal: to make everyday meals feel like something worth celebrating.
After earning his Certificate in Culinary Arts from Cascade Culinary Institute, he spent years working with local farmers and small kitchens across Oregon, learning the beauty of seasonal, small-batch cooking.
Mike’s approach is simple, cook with what’s fresh, keep it approachable, and always leave room for a little creativity. When he’s not testing yogurt marinades or designing single-serving meals, you’ll find him hiking trails or hunting down the best berries at local markets.

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