Easy Pear Cranberry Crisp with Oat Streusel
If you’re craving a warm, comforting dessert that feels both cozy and fresh, this Easy Pear Cranberry Crisp is exactly what you need. Sweet, tender pears pair beautifully with tart cranberries, all tucked beneath a golden oat streusel topping that bakes up buttery and crisp. This simple baked dessert is perfect for fall and winter evenings, holiday dinners, or anytime you want an easy dessert that feels special without extra effort.
Whether you’re building your list of quick baking recipes or searching for comforting dessert ideas the whole family will love, this pear cranberry crisp delivers big flavor with simple pantry ingredients.
Why You’ll Love This Pear Cranberry Crisp
- Perfect sweet-tart balance from ripe pears and cranberries
- Easy to prepare with minimal prep and simple steps
- Comforting and cozy for cold-weather meals and holidays
- Versatile enough for dessert, brunch, or a sweet snack
- Family-friendly and naturally alcohol-free
Ingredients You’ll Need
Fruit Filling
- 4 cups ripe pears, peeled and sliced
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅜ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Oat Streusel Topping
- ¾ cup rolled oats
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
How to Make Pear Cranberry Crisp (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a medium baking dish.
Step 2: Make the Fruit Filling
In a large bowl, combine the sliced pears and cranberries. Add brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and flour. Toss until the fruit is evenly coated, then spread the mixture into your prepared baking dish.
Step 3: Create the Oat Streusel
In another bowl, mix the rolled oats and flour. Cut in the cold butter using a fork or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Step 4: Assemble the Crisp
Sprinkle the oat streusel evenly over the fruit filling, covering it completely.
Step 5: Bake
Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit filling is bubbling around the edges.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Let the crisp cool for about 10 minutes before serving. This helps the juices thicken and makes serving easier.
Tips & Variations
- Apple swap: Replace half the pears with apples for extra texture
- Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour
- Lower sugar: Reduce brown sugar by ¼ cup if preferred
- Dairy-free: Substitute with plant-based butter
- Extra crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping
Serving Ideas & Storage
Serve this pear cranberry crisp warm on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. It’s also delicious for brunch alongside coffee or tea.
Storage:
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days
- Reheat in the oven at 325°F or microwave individual portions
Easy Pear Cranberry Crisp with Oat Streusel
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Warm, cozy, and full of seasonal flavor, this Pear Cranberry Crisp brings together sweet, tender pears and tart cranberries under a golden, buttery oat streusel. It’s an easy baked dessert that’s perfect for fall and winter gatherings, holiday meals, or a comforting weeknight treat.
Ingredients
Fruit Filling:
• 4 cups ripe pears, peeled and sliced (about 4–5 medium pears)
• 2 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 3/8 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
Oat Streusel Topping:
• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 6 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish (or similar).
2. In a large bowl, add pears and cranberries. Sprinkle in brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, vanilla, and 3 tbsp flour. Toss until evenly coated.
3. Spread the fruit mixture into the prepared baking dish.
4. In a separate bowl, combine rolled oats and 6 tbsp flour. Add cold cubed butter and cut it in with a fork or your fingers until coarse crumbs form.
5. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the fruit layer.
6. Bake 40–45 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
7. Cool 10 minutes before serving (the juices thicken as it rests).
Notes
• Pear tips: Use ripe but firm pears (Bosc or Anjou work great). If pears are very juicy, add 1 extra tablespoon flour to the filling.
• Cranberries: Frozen cranberries work perfectly—no need to thaw.
• Serving ideas: Delicious warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or plain yogurt.
• Storage: Cover and refrigerate up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 325°F for 10–15 minutes or microwave portions 30–45 seconds.
• Optional crunch: Add 1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel (optional).
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~320 |
| Protein | 3g |
| Carbohydrates | 48g |
| Fat | 14g |
| Fiber | 5g |
| Sodium | 160mg |
Final Thoughts
This Easy Pear Cranberry Crisp is the kind of dessert that feels like a warm hug — simple, comforting, and bursting with seasonal flavor. Whether you’re baking for guests or treating yourself to something sweet, this crisp is sure to become a favorite in your cozy dessert rotation.