Easy Pear Crumble with Chocolate

Easy Pear Crumble with Chocolate  - This Easy Homemade Pear Crumble with Chocolate is the ultimate comforting dessert for the colder months. We start eating crumble in Autumn or Fall and don’t stop still Spring! This dessert combines a warming, tender, sweet, mild, fruit filling with a hint of chocolate and a crisp, crunchy, spiced, crumble topping. It takes minutes to prepare and can be very easily be scaled up or down. There is plenty of Crumble in this recipe too! Serve warm with hot custard or a scoop of ice cream for a lovely treat.

Other easy crumble recipes that you might like are Traditional Apple Crumble with homemade Custard. Alternatively, try this delicious Pear Cake recipe which just so happens to be my fave pear dessert!

Easy Pear Crumble/Pear Crisp

This Pear Crumble is a quick, cosy and delicious recipe and the perfect way to use up ripe pears.

The best thing about any crumble recipe is that it tastes incredible and requires minimal effort! The addition of chocolate makes this version utterly heavenly.

Once the crumble is assembled and baked   serve it with custard, with cold double cream (Heavy cream) or a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream.

Ingredients in Easy Pear Crumble 

The best thing about this easy recipe is that as with most fruit crumbles you only need a few simple ingredients to make a spectacular dessert!

These are the ingredients needed for this recipe:

For the Topping

Pears

The best Pears for this recipe are ripe Conference Pears. These fresh juicy pears turn jammy and are delicious when baked in a crumble.

The pears should be just ripe. 

Vanilla

I like to add a touch of Vanilla to the Pears because it really complements the flavour.

Chocolate

I add Chocolate in the filling to add a layer of delicious sweetness.

Cinnamon

We add some Cinnamon into the filling. You can also add All Spice, Ginger, Cardamom or any Spices you like.

Flour

I add a sprinkling of Flour - Plain or Corn Flour to thicken the fruit mixture.

Light Brown Sugar

This adds light caramel subtle caramel tones.

For the Topping

Butter

I use salted butter here for a rich buttery topping but you can use unsalted butter and add a pinch of salt. You can also use a dairy free butter alternative if you want to make the crumble dairy free or vegan.

Plain Flour

AKA All Purpose Flour. You can use Self Raising Flour. This is used in the crumble and filling. In the filling it is used to help with soaking up the fruit juices. You can use Spelt Flour or Corn Flour instead. You can also add other Flours such as Ground Almonds into the mix.

Ground Cinnamon, Ginger and Cloves

These warm spices are my spices of choice in this dessert. Warm Cinnamon, Cloves and Ginger are in my opinion all that you need spice wise to make a really good crumble.

Light Brown Sugar

We use this for sweetness and moisture. You can use dark brown sugar, Caster, Granulated Sugar or coconut sugar instead.

Caster Sugar

You can use Granulated Sugar instead. This helps make the crumble crispy.

Oats

These add a little texture and a crunchy topping.

Salt

Just a pinch brings everything together.

How to make Pear and Chocolate Crumble

This simple dessert comes together quickly. For the full step by step instructions, scroll to the bottom of the page for the recipe card.

Step 1 - Make the Filling

Add Pears, Sugar, Flour, Cinnamon and Vanilla to a pan. Cook and simmer over low heat for about 7-8 minutes.
Remove from the heat and add leave to cool.

 

Step 2 - Make the topping

Add Flour and Oats to a bowl. Mix in the Brown Sugar, Caster Sugar, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Ginger, Cloves and Salt.
Rub Cold Butter into Flour to create a coarse crumble. Check that the Crumble clumps together in your hands.

Place in the fridge.

Step 3 - Assemble and Bake

Place the Fruit in an oven dish. Add Chocolate Chips on top.

Top with crumble.
 Cook in a preheated oven at 370 f/190 C/Gas Mark 5 for 35 - 45 minutes.

Step 4 - Serve

Let the crumble cool a little and then serve in individual bowls whilst still hot with custard, a scoop of ice cream or cream.

How to serve

This great dessert can be served with custard, a scoop of ice cream (I love vanilla bean ice cream with pear crumble) or a drizzle of double/heavy cream. My preference is Custard!

Tips for making Pear Crumble

• Use cold butter for the crumble This will make for a crunchier topping.
• Make the topping in advance - You can make just the crumble in advance and keep it in the fridge for a really crunchy topping. Or make the Crumble just before the Pears and store it in the fridge whilst the Pears are cooking.

Substitutions and Variations 

Crumble Toppings

Add texture  to the crumble topping via finely chopped Nuts or Seeds, Granola, Desiccated Coconut, flaked Almonds for a crisp topping. 
Use some Almond Flour in the topping for a nutty flavour.

Make it Gluten Free

You can use Gluten Free Plain Flour in the crumble topping and in the dish for the fruit. Or Corn Flour works well too.


Spices

Add different Spices.

Caramel

Serve with a drizzle of Caramel Sauce. It goes really well with Apple Crumble.

Use other Fruit

The filling ingredients can include any fresh fruit that isn't too watery. In fact it is a great way to use up  juicy fruit. Use your favourite fruits such as Pear and Blueberry or Apples and Blackberries. Or use seasonal fruit for the best flavour.

Make it Vegan

Swap the butter for a plant based alternative.

Add Lemon

You can add a little lemon juice or orange juice to the pears to just pep them up a bit and stop them colouring as fast.

Storage

Fridge

If you have any leftover pear crumble, it should be kept in the fridge it in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 
Alternatively leave it in the tin/dish, and once it has completely cooled cover it with cling film or plastic wrap and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezer

It can also be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. It can be frozen baked or unbaked. The crumble topping does soften as it will absorb some of the pear juices but this is easily rectifiable. See instructions below.

Thaw overnight in the fridge. Once thawed, it cannot be refrozen and should be consumed within 24 hours.

Reheating instructions

Oven

If you want to make the topping crispy again, the best way to do this is in the oven. Preheat the oven to  350f/180C/GM 4 and place in an oven safe tin/dish. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes or until piping hot all the way through.

Microwave

You can also reheat this in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. The topping will not be as crunchy though. Again, it has to be piping hot all the way through before serving.

Room Temperature

This crumble is also lovely at room temperature when it is cold. Once the crumble has been reheated, any leftovers will need to be discarded.

How to make ahead

Crumbles are best eaten fresh. If you would like to prep ahead, prep the day ahead of time and bake as per the recipe with an additional 5 minutes added to the baking time. To make it a few hours ahead, make and assemble the entire dessert,  then cover with cling film and place into the fridge until it is ready to bake.

Tips and FAQs

Can i use another variety of Pears?

I use conference pears for this recipe. They are sweet and readily available. You can also use Bosc Pears. 
I would not recommend Comice Pears as they are already very sweet and fleshy. If that is all you have, I would recommend cutting the sugar quantity by a third.

Can i use another type of sugar?

You can use Dark Brown Sugar, Light Brown Sugar, Coconut Sugar, Demerara Sugar (Turbinado), Granulated Sugar, Caster Sugar or any other sugar of your choice. I haven't tried this with liquid sweetener so I can’t comment on that unfortunately! 
Brown sugars have the best flavour in this recipe. They add a caramel toffee tone that works brilliantly in crumbles.

Can i make individual portions?

Yes you can. This recipe will make 4 servings depending on the size of your ramekins. Place them on a tray so it is easier to get them out of the oven. They will cook quicker. I would check after the 20 minute mark.

Can i use a stand mixer or food processor?

You can use a food processor to make the crumble. The butter is quite cold so it is easier to make it in a food processor using the pulse option. This option means the crumble is being mixed together in short bursts and won’t get too hot and lose all that lovely texture. I would not recommend using a stand mixer though.

Can i double the recipe?

Absolutely! Use a larger/deeper baking dish if doubling the recipe. If using a deeper baking dish, you will need to bake it for longer.

More easy dessert recipes

Apple Streusel Cake

Easy Hungarian Tart

Apple and Blackberry Crumble

Cherry and Raspberry Crumble Breakfast Bars

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