Spiced Pear Cobbler
The combination of sweet pears, cinnamon, and delicious nutty oat crunch is the perfect treat for a cold weather day. Bake in the oven or over the campfire!
I have been wanting to share this recipe with you guys for months now! Every time I make it, I tweak it just a bit more and I finally got a version that I’m happy with (although the past ones were really quite delicious too, it’s just that this one is the BEST of them all).
Now I know this isn’t photographed as a “Camp Recipe” but hear me out. My original plan was to bake this recipe over the campfire, similar to my Super Easy Campfire Cinnamon Roll recipe, however the weather had a different plan. We woke up to a nice -20C outside so we decided to opt for the oven version and set up the Christmas tree instead. Don’t fret, I’ve included instructions for baking over the campfire too, if that’s why you’re here!
Usually I choose apples for cobbler or crisp fillings (or berries, I just LOVE all berries), and even tried this recipe with half apples half pears, but there’s something about the sweetness of the pears alone that make it sooo delicious. The combination of sweet pears, cinnamon and nutmeg spice, nutty walnuts and crunchy oats… mmm mmm mmm, I’m sending myself into a little food dream as I write this. It’s really the perfect dessert for this holiday season!
This cobbler comes together really quick and easy no matter if you’re indoors or outdoors. I like to keep the skins on the pears because peeling them is just too much of a hassle for me AND it gives ya a little extra fibre. To further save on time and mess, you can mix your filling mixture right in your baking dish of choice. For indoor baking, I LOVE my Staub Cast Iron Round Cocotte. We got it as a wedding gift last year and it’s easily one of the most used pieces of kitchen equipment in our house. I seriously cook everything in that thing.
Once you got the filling mix in your baking dish, it’s time to make the topping. Make sure the butter is nice and cold before crumbling it into your flour/oat/sugar/spice mixture. This helps create flaky layers and a nice crunchy top. Add just enough milk to bring the dough together, I use somewhere between 1/3 - 1/2 cup. Drop by spoonfuls onto the cobbler.
You’ll notice your mouth begin to water as you start to smell the intoxicating sweet cinnamon aroma coming from the oven as the cobbler bakes. But patience my friend! Once you see a nice browned crispy topping and bubbling filling, it’s ready to come out! Distract yourself for 5 minutes to allow it to cool and so that you don’t have to suffer through the temptation to dig in right away. I always burn my tongue because I am too impatient. Once it’s cooled slightly, enjoy with a big scoop of ice cream or whipped cream!
Spy my Santa hat peaking into the frame. I really got into the festive spirit while setting up the tree and then got to enjoy this yummy little treat once we were all done.
If you try the recipe, let me know how you like it below! Also, if you have any questions, please comment below and I’ll get back to you asap!
Happy Holidays Friends!
More Dessert Ideas
Spiced Pear Cobbler
Ingredients
- 4 medium pears, chopped into 1/2 inch (1.5cm) pieces
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/8 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup large flake oats
- 1/4 cup walnut pieces
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- 1/3 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F
- In large bowl, mix together pears, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt, and transfer to baking dish.
- Combine flour, oats, walnuts, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in medium bowl. Add the cold butter and mix with a fork or your fingers, until butter is similar to the size of a pea.
- Add about 1/4 cup milk and mix the dough. Continue adding remaining milk, a small amount at a time, until dough just comes together.
- Drop dough by spoonfuls onto pear filling.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until topping is browned and filling is bubbling.
- Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream!
- Prepare your campfire ahead of time to create coals to cook with. You will need approximately 21 medium sized coals. Line your dutch oven with parchment paper.
- In large bowl, mix together pears, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt, and transfer to dutch oven. You can also just mix everything together in the dutch oven right away.
- Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, walnuts, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in medium bowl. Add the cold butter and mix with a fork or your fingers, until butter is similar to the size of a pea.
- Add about 1/4 cup milk and mix the dough. Continue adding remaining milk, a small amount at a time, until dough just comes together.
- Drop dough by spoonfuls onto pear filling. Cover with lid.
- Pull 7 coals from the fire and arrange in a small circle on the ground. Place your dutch oven on the coals. Place 12-14 medium sized coals on the lid. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown, checking every so often to make sure it is not burning.
- Remove from coals and serve with a scoop of ice cream!
