Pear Crisp

Another sign of Fall going to make an appearance is that of beautiful pears showing up in the grocery stores.  I did try planting a pear tree a few years ago but one wicked cold winter did it's damage to the poor tree and it did not survive so it's back to store bought pears.  As with any crisp, the wonderful smell of cinnamon and fruit coming from your oven is one of the best smells that no candle can come close to copying.

Pear Crisp

6 pears, pared and sliced
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/3 cup sugar
1 tbsp. cornstarch
2 tsp. cinnamon, divided
1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 cups brown sugar
4 tbsp. cold butter, cut into small slices
1/2 cup quick oats

Grease a 9 x 9 glass baking pan.  Place the sliced pears and lemon juice at the bottom.  In a small bowl, combine the white sugar, cornstarch and 1 tsp. cinnamon.  Sprinkle evenly over the pears and turn them over to coat on both sides.  In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, salt, 1 tsp. cinnamon and brown sugar together.  Blend in the cold butter slices with a pastry blender until a crumbly mixture forms.  Stir in the quick oats and cover the pears.  Bake for 50 minutes at 350°.  Let cool 15 minutes if you are going to serve warm.  You can serve it like it is or top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.