Homemade Pear Crumble Recipe

There’s something magical about the combination of tender, juicy pears and a golden, buttery crumble topping. This Homemade Pear Crumble Recipe brings together the sweet, caramelized flavor of ripe pears with a crisp, crunchy crust that’s impossible to resist. In just 20 minutes of prep and 45 minutes of baking, you’ll create a dessert that feels both comforting and indulgent.

The warm, spiced aroma filling your kitchen is just the beginning. Each bite offers a perfect balance of soft, melt-in-your-mouth fruit and satisfyingly crumbly texture. Whether served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or enjoyed on its own, this dessert is a celebration of simple, wholesome ingredients. It’s the kind of treat that makes any day feel special.

Ingredients for Homemade Pear Crumble

• For the Filling:
  • 6 medium ripe but firm pears (like Bosc or Anjou)
  • ⅓ cup (2 oz/57 g) brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons tapioca starch (can substitute cornstarch)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• For the Topping:
  • 1⅓ cups (6½ oz/185 g) all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup (4½ oz/128 g) dark brown sugar
  • 1 cup (5 oz/142 g) chopped walnuts (optional, or substitute pecans)
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ cup (4 oz/115 g) butter, melted
• For Serving:
  • Vanilla ice cream (optional, but highly recommended!)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (180°C). Butter a 2-quart baking dish and set it aside.
2. Prepare the pears: Peel, core, and slice the pears into ¼-inch (6-mm) thick pieces. Add them to a large bowl as you go.
3. Mix the filling: Stir in the brown sugar, tapioca starch, lemon juice, cinnamon, and vanilla extract with the pears until well combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
4. Make the topping: In the same bowl (no need to wash it), combine the flour, brown sugar, walnuts, and cinnamon. Mix in the melted butter until the mixture is crumbly.
5. Assemble the crumble: Sprinkle the topping evenly over the pears. Place the baking dish on a baking sheet to catch any drips.
6. Bake: Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the pears are bubbling. Tip: If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.
7. Cool and serve: Let the crumble cool for 15 minutes. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.
8. Store leftovers: Keep any leftovers loosely covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions

This Homemade Pear Crumble shines when served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, but don’t stop there! Try it with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence. For a cozy twist, pair it with a cup of spiced chai tea or hot apple cider.

Storage & Reheating Tips

Store leftovers loosely covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, pop it in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes, or microwave individual portions for 20-30 seconds. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months—just thaw and reheat before serving.

Recipe Variations to Try

Switch up the flavors by using apples or a mix of apples and pears for the filling. For the topping, swap walnuts with pecans or almonds, or add a pinch of nutmeg for extra warmth. Feeling adventurous? Stir in a tablespoon of bourbon or rum into the filling for a boozy twist.

Time-Saving Hacks

To speed up prep, use a mandoline slicer for even pear slices or pre-chop the walnuts ahead of time. If you’re short on time, assemble the crumble the night before, cover it, and bake it fresh the next day. It’s a great make-ahead dessert for busy schedules!

Equipment You’ll Need

For this recipe, a 2-quart baking dish is ideal, but a 9×9-inch pan works too. A sturdy mixing bowl and a baking sheet (to catch any drips) are essential. If you don’t have tapioca starch, cornstarch is a great substitute—just use the same amount.

Homemade Pear Crumble Recipe

Shaziya

There’s something magical about the combination of tender, juicy pears and a golden, buttery crumble topping. In just 20 minutes of prep and 45 minutes of baking, you’ll create a dessert that feels both comforting and indulgent.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Servings 8 people

Ingredients

  

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For the Filling

• 6 medium ripe but firm pears like Bosc or Anjou
• ⅓ cup brown sugar 2 oz/57 g
• 2 teaspoons tapioca starch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Topping

• 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour 6½ oz/185 g
• ¾ cup dark brown sugar 4½ oz/128 g
• 1 cup chopped walnuts 5 oz/142 g
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ cup butter, melted 4 oz/115 g
• Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and butter a 2-quart baking dish. Set aside.
• Peel, core, and slice the pears 1/4-inch (6-mm) thick and add to a large bowl as you go.
• Stir in the brown sugar, tapioca starch, lemon juice, cinnamon, and vanilla extract, then pour into the prepared baking dish.
• In the now empty mixing bowl, stir together the flour, brown sugar, walnuts, and cinnamon, then mix in the melted butter until combined.
• Crumble the mixture over the pears, then place on a baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes, until the topping is browned and the pears are bubbling. (If the topping starts to overbrown before the filling is done, cover loosely with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.)
• Let cool for 15 minutes, then serve while still warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Store leftovers, loosely covered, at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Keyword comfort food, easy baking, fruit crumble, homemade dessert, pear crumble

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