Spiced Pear and Cranberry Crumble Bars with Ginger Oat Crust: A Harvest Treat

Autumn has always held a special place in my heart. It's more than just the turning leaves and the cooler air; it's the feeling of coming home, the warmth of the kitchen filled with comforting aromas, and the joy of sharing the harvest with loved ones. I remember one particular autumn, my grandmother's pear tree was absolutely overflowing with fruit. We spent a crisp afternoon picking them, the sun casting long shadows across the orchard. The air was filled with laughter and the sweet scent of ripe pears. Later that evening, gathered around her kitchen table, we baked a simple pear crumble. The memory of that warm, comforting dessert, shared with family, has stayed with me ever since. These Spiced Pear and Cranberry Crumble Bars with their unique ginger oat crust are my way of recreating that feeling, a little slice of autumn joy that's perfect for sharing.

These crumble bars are more than just a dessert; they’re a celebration of the season, a testament to the simple joys of home baking, and a delicious way to use the abundance of autumn's bounty.

Why You’ll Love These Crumble Bars

These Spiced Pear and Cranberry Crumble Bars are destined to become a new family favorite for so many reasons:

• Seasonal Flavors: The combination of juicy pears, tart cranberries, and warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg is the very essence of autumn. Each bite is a cozy reminder of crisp days and festive gatherings.
• Easy to Make: Forget complicated techniques and fussy preparations! This recipe is designed for simplicity. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to create a truly delicious and impressive dessert. Perfect for weeknight baking or a relaxing weekend project.
• One-Pan Wonder: Less time cleaning, more time enjoying! This recipe is baked in a single pan, minimizing cleanup and maximizing convenience.
• Perfect for Sharing: These bars are ideal for bringing to potlucks, holiday parties, or simply sharing with your family and friends. Their portability and irresistible flavor make them a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
• Unique Ginger Oat Crust: This isn't your ordinary crumble topping! The addition of ginger to the oat crust adds a delightful warmth and subtle spice that perfectly complements the sweet and tart filling. It's a flavor combination that will set your bars apart from the rest!

Gathering Your Harvest: The Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to create these delightful Spiced Pear and Cranberry Crumble Bars. Don’t be afraid to get creative with substitutions based on what you have on hand!

For the Ginger Oat Crust:

• 1 ½ cups rolled oats (use old-fashioned rolled oats for the best texture)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (or use 1 cup oat flour or a gluten-free blend for a gluten-free option)
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar (or maple sugar for a more natural option)
• ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Pear and Cranberry Filling:

• 4 medium pears (about 1 ½ pounds), peeled, cored, and sliced (Bosc or Anjou varieties are excellent choices)
• 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• ½ cup granulated sugar (or honey/maple syrup, adjust to taste)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (for brightness)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (or tapioca starch for thickening)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• Optional: 1 tablespoon bourbon or apple cider (for added depth of flavor)

Substitutions & Notes:

• Sweetener: Feel free to use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar in the filling. Start with ¼ cup and adjust to your liking.
• Flour: Oat flour works beautifully as a gluten-free substitute for all-purpose flour in the crust.
• Cranberries: Frozen cranberries work perfectly well if fresh ones are not available. No need to thaw them before using.
• Pantry Staples: This recipe utilizes many common pantry items, making it a great option for spontaneous baking.

From Orchard to Oven: Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let's get baking! Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of Spiced Pear and Cranberry Crumble Bars.

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.

2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, and salt for the crust.

3. Cut in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles a coarse crumb. The butter should be evenly distributed throughout the dry ingredients.

![Cutting butter into flour pastry blender](data:image/jpeg;base64,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