This easy apple and pear crumble recipe, flavoured with warming ginger and cinnamon, is the perfect comforting dessert on a chilly autumn evening, especially when it's served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or lashings of creamy custard.
This classic British pudding is a delicious combination of tender, spiced orchard fruit with a flapjack-style oat crumble topping. It's so easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
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Pear and apple crumble is a classic dessert that's warm and hearty and perfect any time you want a sweet treat. It also makes a nice change from the usual cinnamon-spiced apple crumble we all know and love so much
The crumble is baked in the oven until golden brown on top and the fruit is tender, juicy, and bubbling underneath.
The combination of sweet and tart apples and pears, along with the warm spices, creates a delicious flavour combination, and the oat crumble topping adds a crunchy texture that complements the soft fruit perfectly.
Love fruit crumble recipes? You'll want to try my easy air fryer apple crumble, blackberry crumble, or frozen berry crumble next!
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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
- Making the flapjack-style crumble topping is so easy - just melt the butter and pour it over the flour, oats, and sugar! Mix until crumbles form.
- The ginger and cinnamon lend a warm, comforting flavour to the apple and pear oat crumble.
- It's perfect for large gatherings and family dinners, and I guarantee everyone will be asking for seconds!
🛒 Ingredient notes
Bramley Apples - these apples are known for their sharp, tangy flavour and are perfect for balancing the sweetness in the dish.
Pears - Conference pears are a variety known for their sweet and juicy flesh. When combined with the tartness of the Bramley apples, they create a lovely blend of flavours in the fruit filling.
Ground Ginger - adds a warm and slightly spicy note to the fruit filling. You could also add some chopped stem ginger in syrup.
Cinnamon - with its aromatic and earthy flavour it pairs well with the apples and pears.
Light Brown Sugar - used in the fruit filling to sweeten the fruits as they bake. You could use caster sugar or golden caster sugar if you prefer.
For the Crumble Topping:
Plain Flour - serves as the base for the crumble topping.
Porridge Oats - adds a hearty, rustic element to the topping.
Light Brown Sugar - brings sweetness and a subtle caramel flavour to the mix. You could also use demerara sugar for a crunchier texture.
Melted Butter - binds the dry ingredients together, forming the crumble's signature clumps. It also infuses a rich, buttery taste that contrasts beautifully with the fruit's sweetness.
Crystallized Ginger - adds a warming twist to the topping. Its sweet, spicy, and slightly chewy nature provides bursts of ginger flavour that elevate the crumble's overall taste and texture.
🔪 How to make apple pear crumble
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: Place the sliced Bramley apples, sliced pears, ground ginger, cinnamon, and light brown sugar in a heavy-based pan. Add 1 tablespoon of water and cook on a medium heat for 5 minutes until the fruits start to soften (stir frequently to prevent the fruit from sticking to the bottom of the pan).
Two: Make the crumble topping by placing the plain flour, oats, light brown sugar, and crystalised ginger in a bowl and pouring over the melted butter. Mix with a spoon until crumbles form.
Three: Spoon the fruit into a 2 litre pie dish and then top with the crumble.
Four: Bake in the oven (180°C/160°fan/Gas 4) for 45 minutes until the crumble is golden brown on top and the fruit is bubbling underneath.
Top Tips
- Opt for Bramley apples for their tartness and Conference pears for their sweetness. The combination of these two varieties creates a well-balanced and delicious filling.
- When preparing the fruit, aim for uniform and evenly-sized slices. This ensures that the filling cooks evenly, resulting in a consistent texture and flavour.
- Be cautious with the ground ginger and cinnamon. Start with the recommended amounts and adjust to your taste. You can always add more spice if you prefer a stronger flavour.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Once your apple and pear crumble is out of the oven, it's time to enjoy!
A classic pairing is a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. The cold, smooth ice cream complements the warm, gooey filling and crispy topping perfectly.
Or, why not dollop some freshly whipped cream on top, or for something even more luxurious, you could use clotted cream instead.
Warm custard, whether homemade or store-bought, is another traditional accompaniment.
If you have a sweet tooth, drizzle a generous spoonful of caramel sauce over your serving, or for a slightly healthier option, consider serving the crumble with a dollop of Greek yogurt.
📖 Variations
- Add a generous handful of chopped nuts like almonds, pecans, or walnuts to the crumble topping. This creates a nutty and crunchy dimension to the dessert.
- Add a handful of blackberries or raspberries for a fresh fruity flavour. Or why not add dried fruit like cranberries or raisins?
- Drizzle caramel sauce over the fruit filling before adding the crumble topping. This indulgent twist adds a rich, buttery sweetness to every bite.
- Swap out the ground ginger and cinnamon for ground cardamom in the fruit filling. Cardamom is a unique and aromatic flavour and is delicious paired with pears.
🥡 Storage
Store - If you have any leftovers, allow the crumble to cool to room temperature before storing it. You can store the crumble in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze - If you want to keep it for longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge.
Reheat - To reheat your crumble in the microwave, place a portion of the crumble in a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a microwave-safe lid or cling film. Heat the crumble on high for 1-2 minutes, or until it's heated through. Be careful not to overheat the crumble, as this can cause it to become dry and lose its texture.
❓ Frequently asked questions
To make a healthier version of apple and pear crumble, you can use whole wheat flour instead of plain flour. You can also add chopped nuts and seeds to the topping for added texture and nutrition.
In the UK, apple crumble typically refers to a dessert made with a crumbly topping of flour, sugar, and butter, while apple crisp is a similar dessert in the US, but with an oat-based topping.
Yes, apples and pears can be used together in a crumble. They complement each other well and create a delicious combination of sweet and slightly tart flavours.
Absolutely! While apple and pear are classics, you can experiment with fruits like berries, peaches, or even a combination of different fruits for a unique twist.
Yes, you can assemble the crumble and refrigerate it before baking. Just pop it in the oven when you're ready to enjoy.
😋 More crumble recipes
- Blackberry and Apple Crumble
- Apple and Blueberry Crumble
- Strawberry Crumble
- Slow Cooker Apple Crumble
🍏 More apple recipes
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Recipe
Easy Apple and Pear Crumble Recipe
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Ingredients
- 5 Pears peeled, cored and sliced
- 3 Bramley Apples peeled, cored and sliced
- 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 40 g Light Brown Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Water
For the crumble
- 125 g Plain Flour
- 125 g Oats porridge oats (not jumbo oats)
- 150 g Light Brown Sugar
- 125 g Butter melted
- 1 teaspoon Crystalised Ginger chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180℃ (160°fan/ Gas 4/ 350℉)
- Place the sliced Bramley apples, sliced pears, ground ginger, cinnamon, and light brown sugar in a heavy-based pan. Add 1 tablespoon of water and cook on a medium heat for 5 minutes until the fruits start to soften (stir frequently to prevent the fruit from sticking to the bottom of the pan).5 Pears, 3 Bramley Apples, 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger, 1 teaspoon Cinnamon, 40 g Light Brown Sugar, 1 tablespoon Water
- Make the crumble topping by placing the plain flour, oats, light brown sugar, and crystalised ginger in a bowl and pouring over the melted butter. Mix with a spoon until crumbles form.125 g Plain Flour, 125 g Oats, 150 g Light Brown Sugar, 125 g Butter, 1 teaspoon Crystalised Ginger
- Spoon the fruit into a 2 litre pie dish and then top with the crumble.
- Bake in the oven for 45 minutes until the crumble is golden brown on top and the fruit is bubbling underneath.
Notes
- Add a generous handful of chopped nuts like almonds, pecans, or walnuts to the crumble topping. This creates a nutty and crunchy dimension to the dessert.
- Add a handful of blackberries or raspberries for a fresh fruity flavour.
- Drizzle caramel sauce over the fruit filling before adding the crumble topping. This indulgent twist adds a rich, buttery sweetness to every bite.
Irene says
This apple and pear crumble is delicious. It's got all the wonderful smells of autumn! Love how easy the crumble topping is too!