Print

Cozy Chai Spiced Pear Crumble Bars

chai spiced pear crumble bars - featured image
Print Recipe

These cozy chai spiced pear crumble bars combine tender pears with a warm chai-spiced filling and a nutty brown butter streusel topping, perfect for a comforting homemade dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ripe pears, peeled, cored, and sliced thinly (Bosc or Anjou pears recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • Pinch of ground cloves (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, browned
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup rolled oats
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Optional: chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions

  1. Brown the Butter: In a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat, melt 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter. Swirl frequently as it foams and begins to brown—look for small brown specks and a nutty aroma, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  2. Prepare the Streusel: In a large bowl, combine 1½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour, 1 cup (200 g) packed light brown sugar, ½ cup (45 g) rolled oats, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon. Pour in the browned butter and mix with a wooden spoon or your hands until the mixture forms clumps—some bigger, some smaller. Set aside about 1 cup of this mixture for topping later.
  3. Make the Pear Filling: In another bowl, toss the sliced pears with 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon cardamom, ¼ teaspoon ginger, a pinch of cloves if using, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix gently to coat the pears evenly.
  4. Assemble the Bars: Press the remaining streusel mixture firmly into the bottom of the greased 8×8-inch pan, creating an even crust layer. Spread the spiced pear filling evenly over the crust, making sure not to overload any spots.
  5. Add the Streusel Topping: Sprinkle the reserved streusel mixture evenly over the pears. If you like extra crunch, toss in a handful of chopped nuts before sprinkling.
  6. Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bars for 40-45 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the pears are bubbly and tender. Keep an eye during the last 10 minutes to prevent over-browning.
  7. Cool & Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack—this helps the filling set. Once cool, cut into 12 squares for perfect portions.

Notes

If streusel spreads too much during baking, chill the assembled bars in the fridge for 15 minutes before baking to help the topping hold its shape. Avoid overly soft pears to maintain texture. Press the crust firmly for better structure. Bars taste better after resting overnight. For gluten-free, swap flour with gluten-free baking blend. For vegan, use browned coconut oil and coconut sugar, and a flax egg or applesauce as binder.

Nutrition

Keywords: chai spiced pear crumble bars, brown butter streusel, autumn dessert, cozy dessert, homemade bars, pear dessert, chai spices, crumble bars

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/cozy-chai-spiced-pear-crumble-bars-recipe-easy-homemade-dessert-idea/