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Hazelnut Apple Pear Crisp

September 23, 2015 3 Comments

apple pear crisp

Let’s just say I’ve been around the block with apple crisp. I make it multiple times each fall and winter, and I even keep bags of prepared topping in the freezer to have at the ready. I thought I knew everything there was to know about it. But a couple of weeks ago, I was invited to a baking class at Sherry B Dessert Studio with my mom friend Christine. The theme of the night? Apple crisp, reimagined. 

apple pear crisp

Sherry set out every possible add-in and spice, from traditional ones like lemon zest and cinnamon, to cayenne and freshly ground black pepper. She encouraged us to go big or go home, and create our own unique version. We added little pinches, mixed, smelled, and tasted. It honestly felt a little bit like making perfume!
 

apple pear crisp

I ended up using a big sprinkle of cardamom, which is a spice I love, but definitely don’t use enough. It tends to get pushed to the back of the cabinet and forgotten about. Usually I just reach for cinnamon, and maybe nutmeg or ginger if I’m feeling fancy. But oh my goodness, my crisp was amazing. The filling was so fragrant and warming. When he was on his second bowl, Alex even paused, spoon raised, to ask “What is this spice?”

apple pear crisp

So of course I had to make it again, immediately, this time tweaking it a bit further to include pears (which go with cardamom like cherries go with almond). I also included freshly grated orange zest, and in the topping, whole wheat flour and hazelnuts.
 
YOU GUYS. This Hazelnut Apple Pear Crisp is the best version of apple crisp to ever come out of my kitchen. I’m done; I’m throwing in the dish towel. The fruit is soft and juicy, yet it still holds its shape, and it’s fragrant with citrus and spice. And the topping! It’s nearly as thick as the fruit layer, buttery and nutty and perfectly crispy and crumbly. 
 

apple pear crisp

Is there anyone who doesn’t love apple crisp? I honestly think I would conclude my last meal on earth with a giant bowl of it topped with vanilla ice cream. It’s one of those rustic, unfussy desserts that has everyone gathered around the table and digging in with a spoon. At least, that’s how we eat it in my family.

apple pear crisp
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Hazelnut Apple Pear Crisp

Serve the crisp warm with vanilla ice cream. As if I needed to tell you that.
Servings 6
Author Turnip the Oven

Ingredients

For the filling

  • 1 pound Granny Smith apples 2 or 3
  • 1 pound firm-ripe pears 2 or 3
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

For the topping

  • 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
  • 3/4 cup whole unsalted hazelnuts
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick, diced

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Peel, core, and dice the apples into large pieces. Transfer them to a large bowl. Repeat with the pears. Add the sugar, flour, orange zest, orange juice, cardamom, and cinnamon and toss to coat. Transfer the fruit to a 2-quart baking dish (like an 8-x-8-inch pan).
  3. Combine the flour, hazelnuts, light brown sugar, and salt in a food processor and pulse to combine. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture begins to come together in clumps.
  4. Sprinkle the topping over the apples and pears and bake until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is crisp and golden-brown, 40 to 50 minutes.

Recipe Notes

This recipe was very, very loosely inspired by Ina Garten's recipe for apple pear crisp.

apple pear crisp

Filed Under: Dessert Tagged With: apple, hazelnut, pear

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Comments

  1. Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says

    September 23, 2015 at 7:13 am

    My husband loves apple crisp so I’m sure he’d love this, too! We have an apple picking adventure in our future so I need all the apple recipes I can find!

    Reply
  2. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

    September 23, 2015 at 10:59 am

    People are always forgetting poor cardamom! But it is so fun to add in! I am loving the hazelnut crumble here though! So good!

    Reply
  3. Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily says

    September 24, 2015 at 8:40 pm

    what an incredible recipe! Pinning to make over & over! oxox

    Reply

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Welcome!

Hi! I'm Lucy. Turnip the Oven is my vegetable-focused food blog, but sometimes I'm sidetracked by dessert. My recipes are simple and approachable, and I use fresh, seasonal ingredients. I hope I inspire you to eat more plants…and cookies.

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