Spiced Pear-Apple Crisp (with a Superfood Option!)

Don’t get intimidated. This recipe is simple. It only looks complicated because I wanted to be precise and clear for all of you (this is why I avoid the baking most days) .

(This Pear-Apple Crisp will serve 8 of your gluten-free friends)

* Optional Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need for the topping: 

• 1-1/4 c gluten-free oats
• 1/2 c buckwheat flour
• 1/4 c almond meal
• 1/4 c golden flax meal*
• 3 TBSP sweetener (I used 1-1/2 TBSP coconut palm sugar + 1-1/2 TBSP sucanat)
• 3 TBSP butter, crumbled/cut into small pieces
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8-1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 2 TBSP superfood powder* (I used a hemp seed-cacao-maca powder mixture)

Here’s what you’ll need for the fruit: 

• 4 pears (I used 3 anjou & 2 seckel pears), cored, peeled (I only peeled half the pear and half the apples), thinly sliced
• 4-5 apples (I used cortlands & empires), cored, peeled, thinly sliced
• 3 tsp tapioca flour (or 2 tsp arrowroot or cornstarch)
• 3 TBSP crystallized ginger*, finely chopped or thinly sliced
• 1 TBSP lemon juice (from 1/2 lemon)
• 2 TBSP lemon zest* (I added this because I used an organic lemon and didn’t want to waste the rind — it’s up to you.)
• 2 TBSP pure maple syrup

Optional Vanilla Coconut Milk Sauce:

• 1/4 c coconut milk
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4-1/2 tsp vanilla*
• dash of maple syrup*

Preparing the topping:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Mix all of the ingredients above (except the superfood powder). I just mixed them in a bowl, but if you like you could put it all in a food processor to combine on pulse setting.
3. Place on a baking sheet (on parchment paper, if you like) and bake for 9 minutes. Check after 4-5 minutes and stir a bit.
4. Remove from oven. Add superfood powder and mix well. Set aside.

Preparing the fruit:

1. Reduce the oven heat to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together all the fruit ingredients.
3. Add fruit to a lightly oiled/buttered baking dish.
4. Bake 20 minutes, until fruit is softened and juices are bubbling.

Putting it all together:

1. Remove the fruit from oven and add topping evenly on top of the baked fruit.
2. Bake an additional 9 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, mix together the coconut milk, vanilla, and cinnamon to prepare sauce.
4. Remove from oven (after ~9 minutes) and allow to cool about 10 minutes.
5. Top with coconut milk sauce and enjoy warm.

You’re gonna love this treat. It’s warm and tasty, and packed with good-for-you autumn fruit!

Eat Well. Live Well. Be Well.