If pumpkin screams Halloween and sweet potatoes exude Thansgiving spirit, then cranberries evoke Christmas cheer. I keep a near constant stash of dried cranberries in my pantry throughout the year, but cranberries in their fresh form are only readily available around the winter holidays. Their vibrant hue makes fresh cranberries a festive touch to a wide array of baked goods, side dishes, and desserts.
When cooked, these red jewels break down and release their pleasantly tart juices. In this pear crisp, an unassuming sweetness compliments, rather than masks, the sourness of the cranberries. If you prefer a sweeter dessert, go ahead and add a few more tablespoons of sugar to the topping and/or maple syrup to the fruit filling.
Also feel free to enjoy any leftovers reheated the next morning. Topped with a few generous spoonfuls of Greek yogurt, this heathy crisp doubles as a delicious breakfast.
Pear-Cranberry Crisp
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/3 cup Sucanat (or brown sugar)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- dash of salt
- 3 heaping Tbsp unsweetened applesauce
- 3 cups chopped, unpeeled Anjou pear (about 3 medium)
- 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 3 Tbsp arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350*F. Coat an 8×8 inch square baking pan with cooking spray.
- Combine first 5 ingredients (through salt) in a medium bowl. Stir in applesauce until slightly crumbly. Set aside.
- Combine remaining ingredients (pear through arrowroot powder) in a large bowl; toss well to combine. Spoon pear mixture into prepared baking pan and sprinkle oat mixture evenly over the top.
- Bake at 350*F for about 1 hour, or until the top is golden-brown and crisp. Cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack before serving.
This looks amazing – I have some cranberries in my fridge that need to be used…hopefully there are some pears at the grocery store today!
sounds like a perfect holiday breakfast!
That crisp looks A M A Z I N G!
http://katiechangesforkatie.blogspot.com/2009/12/mia-photo-update-new-contest-happy.html
New blog post + new music! New giveaway tomorrow. Woop woop!
Katie
Hi Lauren! I think I only met you for a split-second cause we say on opposite ends of the table at Thursday night’s blog meet-up, but thought I’d stop by and say hi. Your food looks delicious and your recipes are so well-written! Hope we can meet up again! Hope you will stop by Run Foodie Run sometime!
-Patricia :)
Wow that is a beautiful looking crisp! And I love all of the ingredients, great flavor combination :)
Pear and fresh cranberry is a fabulous combo! I never would have thought of that. Love it! And you are totally right about cranberries evoking Christmas cheer. I have seen fresh cranberries everywhere lately, but I just wasn’t sure what to do with them. Now I know! Thank you for this recipe. I’m sorry we couldn’t meet up on Thursday :(
I haven’t made anything with fresh cranberries this season. I think that’s a sin ;) Another great recipe, Lauren! :D
Your crisp looks so delicious yet healthy at the same time. I never know what to do about the butter/sugar laden crisp recipes. Include all the ingredients or try and modify it but then end up with a not-so-stellar crisp.
I just finished a bag of pumpkin spice granola from TJs. Yours looks like something I will definitely try to make!
This looks so gorgeous!
Great photo.