This rhubarb pear almond crisp is both simple and fast to make! A crowd-pleaser for picnics or other get-togethers that blends sweet and tart flavors together beautifully.
My first experience making a crisp was in college, and it was unsuccessful to say the least. My flatmate and I threw in fruit sans sugar, with only crumbled graham crackers on top. It turned into a horrible dry mess we vowed to forget. Since then, I've learned my lesson to not turn up the oven to nearly 500 degrees F and to keep my crisps moist!
Rhubarb season is my favorite, and it's bright flavor epitomizes Spring. I love the sweet/tart flavor combination that pretty much goes with everything. I hate that rhubarb season ends so soon! Rhubarb should be a year-round vegetable. By the way, did you know rhubarb was a vegetable?
This rhubarb pear almond crisp is going to be your favorite way to celebrate rhubarb season. This sweet, tart, crunchy dessert is as simple as it is delicious. The pears, rhubarb, cinnamon, and almond flavors mesh perfectly. So. Freaking. It is light which is perfect for those warm Spring nights when you want to sit outside and watch as the sun goes down later and later in the day. Oh yes, bring on the 7 pm Spring sunsets.
If you want to eat this rhubarb pear almond crisp right out of the cast iron skillet, I won't tell. In fact, I highly encourage it. So go on, grab a fork and have at it!
Don't have time to make this yummy crisp now? Pin it for later!
Rhubarb Pear Almond Crisp
Ingredients
Filling
- 2 extra large Red Bartlett Pears sliced
- 4 stalks fresh rhubarb chopped to ½" pieces
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup 100 g brown sugar, lightly packed
- ½ cup 57 g whole wheat flour
- zest of one lemon
- pinch of sea salt
Almond Crisp
- ½ cup 55 g chopped almonds
- ½ cup 58 g old fashioned oats
- ¼ cup 28 g whole wheat flour
- ¼ cup 50 g packed brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon almond extract
- 3 ½ tablespoons chilled unsalted butter cubed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Lightly toast the almonds in the oven for about 10 minutes. Set aside.
- Mix the pears and rhubarb together in a cast iron skillet. Add the vanilla extract.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, lemon zest, and sea salt. Add the pear mixture.
- Mix all the ingredients for the almond crisp except for the butter in a bowl. Use your hands or a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the oat mixture.
- Place the crisp over the filling and bake in the oven for about 40 - 50 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling and the pears are tender.
Karen D. says
I just popped mine into the oven. Since you didn’t mention what size iron skillet to use, and it seemed like a good amount of filling, it’s in my largest skillet. However, when I started adding the topping, it didn’t cover completely. I read the comments afterwards and see you recommended only a 8” or 9” baking pan, which would have had me use my smaller skillet. Well, we will see how it goes.
Anna says
It would be great if you could add weights for the rhubarb and pears. Sizes of stalks, etc are so variable.
Kari McGee says
OMG. This is the BEST crisp I have ever made or eaten. A friend let me help myself to her final Fall crop of rhubarb, and pears are in season so it's a win win for this recipe. I find that a well established rhubarb plant gives 2-3 crops each year (in Oregon at least) so this will be my spring/fall crisp recipe. Truly amazing and elegant flavors. This was not a soupy crisp - everything was tender and moist but all the liquid had absorbed or evaporated. I used Bosc pears. The perfect thing on a cool fall night. YUMMY. Now excuse me while I go get 2nds...
Amanda Powell says
Oh i am so glad you enjoyed it! It’s one of my favorites as well. It makes a great seasonal transition crisp. My rhubarb would always yield a few good crops each year, too, so this was one thing I’d use it in a lot!
Claudia Prozinski says
I don't have a cast iron skillet. What size pan would this fit and should I use glass or metal pan?
Amanda Powell says
I would recommend an 8x8 or 9x9 baking pan or an 8 or 9 inch cake pan. Metal would work best, but if you use glass, you will need to lengthen the bake time!
T. Remley says
Looks Good! I Just popped it in the oven.
Alexa says
That looks amazing! I love rhubarb. Pinned it... added it to my "will try one day!"
Amanda says
Thanks! Please let me know if you try it!