Pear Crisp

Instructions

1. Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°F. Coat a deep 9x9-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
2. Make the filling: Peel, core, and half the pears lengthwise. Cut each half lengthwise into long 1/4-inch slices, then cut the long slices in half crosswise so you have shorter slices. Transfer to a large bowl.
3. Add the sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and flour. Stir to combine, then let while you prepare the topping.
4. Make the topping: In a medium bowl, melt the butter for the topping. As soon as it is melted, whisk in the brown sugar. Then, whisk in the honey and vanilla.
5. In a separate, larger bowl, stir together the oats, all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, nuts (if using), cinnamon, and salt until evenly blended.
6. Pour the honey mixture over the oat mixture. With a spatula, stir until the dry ingredients are evenly moistened.
7. Scrape the crumb topping on a rimmed ungreased baking sheet. With your fingers, press it into a thin, even layer (if the topping sticks to your fingers, dampen them slightly with water). Bake until the topping just barely starts to brown at the edges, about 15 minutes.
8. Give the pear filling a big stir, then transfer it, along with any juices that have collected, to the baking dish.
9. With a large spatula or spoon, break the toasted topping into rough pieces that are somewhere between ½-inch and 1-inch in size, then scatter it over the pear filing—for the best presentation, arrange the topmost pieces so that the oat-side is up and the flat side that was touching the pan is down.
10. Bake the pear crisp for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the topping is crispy and deep golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly. At the 20 minute mark, rotate the pan 180°F; if the topping starts to brown too quickly in places, tent the pan with foil and continue baking as directed.
11. Place the pan on a wire rack and let cool and set up for at least 30 minutes. Scoop and serve with vanilla ice cream.