My Favorite Season

I love fall. It’s always been my favorite season. Although I enjoy a Minnesota summer, I’m always happy when the air starts to cool and the leaves begin their colorful journey. As a cook, the bounty of fall is a dream. I look forward to the farmer’s market every week as the apples, pears, Brussel Sprouts and symphony of squash start to appear.

This week’s recipe highlights the best of the season with a little something sweet. The Apple and Pear Crisp is a perfect ambassador for Fall. It’s a breeze to make and truly scrumptious. As a bonus, it smells amazing while it’s baking. It passed the “basement full of young men watching the Vikings game” test last week with flying colors! The recipe uses a gluten free flour blend and almond flour which gives it a lovely, toasty flavor without a weird gluten free taste. It’s also a great way to use up that less-than-perfect looking fruit in your fridge. I invite you to try it – I think your whole family will be happy!

Apple and Pear Crisp

This sweet apple and pear dessert is full of flavor and has a lovely texture. It is the perfect way to celebrate the fresh fruit of fall. (this recipe was inspired by a CookieandKate recipe)

Servings people

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 20

Total Time 40

Ingredients

The Fabulous Filling

2 large apples any variety you like
2 large pears unripe is best
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
2 tablespoons arrowroot starch or corn starch
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

The Terrific Topping

1 cup Gluten Free Rolled Oats I like Trader Joes or Bob's Red Mill
1/2 cup almond flour
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1/4 cup brown sugar
4 tablespoons melted butter
3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt or regular yogurt

Instructions

Make the Fabulous Filling

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
Peel and chop the apples and pears into a medium dice
Add the arrowroot (or cornstarch),maple syrup, lemon juice, cinnamon and allspice to the apples and pears
Mix well and be sure all the fruit is coated
Spread the fruit mixture into a 9x12 (or something like it) baking pan

Make the Terrific Topping

Mix the rolled oats, almond flour, chopped pecans (or walnuts) and brown sugar in a small bowl. Mix to break up the sugar and combine the ingredients
Add the melted butter and yogurt to the topping mixture
Stir the topping and be sure it's all combined and coated with the butter and yogurt
Spread the topping evenly over the fruit in the baking dish
Bake the crisp for about 45-50 minutes or until it's toasty and the fruit is hot and bubbly. Enjoy the incredible fragrance.
Serve to the people you like best! I love to serve it with a small scoop of good vanilla ice cream. So delicious.