Ingredients

The following ingredients have 8 Servings
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter (, softened)
  • 1 ¼ cups (155g) all purpose flour
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup sliced almonds
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 4 ½ cups diced pears ((about 3-4 large pears or about 2 pounds total))
  • 2 tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter (softened)
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (124g) all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 cup sliced almonds
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Caramel sauce (Homemade or jarred, for topping (optional))

Instruction

  • Line a 9x9” pan with foil and spray with cooking spray (for easy removal and cutting of bars). Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Prepare the crust by slowly mixing all the crust ingredients in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl using hand mixer. The mixture will be crumbly and if you are using a hand mixer you may need to use your hands to break up any large chunks of butter. Press the crust in the prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes.
  • Prepare the filling by placing the diced pears in a medium saucepan. Fill the pan with water so that half the pears are covered. Cook over medium heat, bringing to a boil then simmering for about 5 minutes until the pears just start to turn semi-translucent. Drain well.
  • Make the topping while the pears are cooking: you can use the same bowl you used for the crust. Use a stand or a hand mixer to cream the butter and sugar. Add the flour, almonds, and salt and mix slowly. The mixture will be somewhat crumbly.
  • Right before the crust comes out of the oven, drain the pears again, then sprinkle the pears with the cinnamon and sugar called for in the filling.
  • Remove the hot crust from the oven. Sprinkle the pears carefully on top (make sure they are well drained first - do not add any of the extra liquid!), then sprinkle with the topping. Bake for an additional 22-27 minutes until the crumble topping starts to brown. (Mine took 24 minutes.)
  • Cool completely in pan before slicing into bars and serving. Serve with caramel sauce and/or ice cream or whipped cream.
  • Store bars in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze them for up to one month.