Spiced Pear and Gingerbread Crumble Bars

Spiced Pear and Gingerbread Crumble Bars

Ingredients:

• For the Crust:

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

• For the Filling:

  • 3 ripe but firm pears, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• For the Crumble Topping:

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Crust: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the sugar.

3. Press the crumb mixture evenly into the prepared pan, forming a crust. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from oven.

4. Prepare the Filling: While the crust bakes, toss the pear slices with brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

5. Spread the pear mixture evenly over the pre-baked crust.

6. Prepare the Crumble Topping: In a medium bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the pears.

7. Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

8. Let cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.