Fresh Pear Crisp

Name: Fresh Pear Crisp
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 9 servings.
Ingredients: 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1/3 cup quick-cooking oats; 1/3 cup packed brown sugar; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided; 3 tablespoons cold reduced-fat stick margarine, cut into pieces; 4 cups sliced peeled pears (about 2 pounds); 2 tablespoons sugar; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel; 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Mildred Sherrer's comforting fruit crisp is a pared-down version of one her mother used to fix. "I made it healthier by using reduced-fat margarine, fresh pears instead of canned and oats for some of the flour," she explains from Fort Worth, Texas. As a finishing touch, she suggests topping it with fat-free yogurt or whipped cream.

Ingredients

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
3 tablespoons cold reduced-fat stick margarine, cut into pieces
4 cups sliced peeled pears (about 2 pounds)
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions

In a bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Cut in margarine until coarse crumbs form; set aside.
Place pears in a large bowl. Sprinkle with sugar, lemon juice, lemon peel, ginger and remaining cinnamon; toss to coat. Transfer to an 8-in. square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with crumb mixture. Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until pears are tender.

Editor's Note

This recipe was tested with Parkay Light stick margarine.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 130 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 43mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fruit.

Originally published as Fresh Pear Crisp in Light & Tasty August/September 2003