Baked pears with walnut oat crumble

Ingredients

• 2 ripe yet firm medium-large pears  
• ½ cup (125 mL) golden brown sugar (not packed) 
• ¼ cup (60 mL) chopped walnuts 
• ¼ cup (60 mL) old fashioned oats 
• 1 tsp (5 mL) ground cinnamon 
• ¼ tsp (1 mL) salt 
• 4 tbsp (60 mL) butter, room temperature 

To serve (optional): 

• Vanilla ice cream 
• Greek yogurt  

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and choose a medium-size baking pan (choose any pan that will fit 4 pear halves in a single layer without having too much empty space) 
2. Walnut-Oat crumble: Stir brown sugar, walnuts, oats, cinnamon and salt together in a medium bowl. Add butter and mix with your fingertips, until combined. 
3. Cut the pears in half and using a small ice cream scoop out the seeds along with some of the flesh (to make space for the stuffing). Pour 5-6 tbsp (75-90 mL) water into the baking pan. Place pear halves, cut side up. Spoon walnut oat crumble into the middle cavity. 
4. Bake for 35-45 minutes (depending on the size; see notes), until pears have softened. 
5. Remove from oven and let cool until warm. 
6. Place pears on a serving plate and spoon the sauce from the bottom of the pan (give a good stir before using) on top of them. 
7. Top with vanilla ice cream for dessert or Greek yogurt for breakfast. 

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Notes

This dish was made using Bartlett pears. Select ripe but firm fruits. Baking time depends on the size of pears.  Medium-size pears take 35-40 minutes; large pears take about 40-45 minutes. 

Use sliced almonds or pecans instead of walnuts.  

To make this nut free, use all oats.