Fresh and juicy pears are in season in many parts of the U.S. right now, so now is the time to pull out your favorite pear recipes, and enjoy one of Autumn’s most delicious fruits.  Pears can be baked or grilled with meats like pork and chicken, and made into delicious desserts like this one:

Pear Cranberry Crisp

Filling:

• 7 large pears, slightly under-ripe, peeled, and cored
• 1 cup fresh or frozen whole cranberries
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tbs. flour
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger

Topping:

• 1 cup of flour
• 2/3 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1/2 old-fashioned oats
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 stick butter, chilled and cut into small chunks

To prepare filling: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, and pour into a buttered 8-inch square baking dish.   (Substitute non-stick spray for butter if you prefer.)

To prepare topping: Combine first 4 ingredients in medium mixing bowl. Then, cut in butter using a pastry blender, or food processor, until mixture is coarsely blended.

Sprinkle topping evenly over filling. Place baking dish on a cookie sheet and place in oven. Bake for about an hour, or until the top is golden and edges are bubbling.

If you have an ice cream maker, this recipe is a great excuse to mix up a small batch for serving up a really special fall dessert.