Panettone & Pear Crisp Recipe
Introduction
This Panettone & Pear Crisp combines the warm, spiced flavors of stem ginger and hazelnuts with sweet, soft pears. It’s an effortless dessert that brings a festive twist to a classic fruit crumble, perfect for cozy gatherings or a comforting treat.

Ingredients
- 1 ball of stem ginger, finely chopped, plus 4 tbsp syrup from the jar
- 8 pears, cored and sliced
- 1 lemon, zested and 1/2 juiced
- Cream, ice cream, or custard, to serve
- 300g panettone
- 90g plain flour
- 60g cold butter, cut into cubes
- 40g hazelnuts, finely chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan)/ gas mark 4. Tear half the panettone into small pieces, then blitz the rest into crumbs using a food processor. Set aside.
- Step 2: Rub the flour and cold butter together until the texture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in all the panettone pieces and crumbs along with the chopped hazelnuts. Drizzle in 3 tablespoons of the ginger syrup and mix lightly. Set aside.
- Step 3: Place the sliced pears into a medium baking dish. Stir in the chopped stem ginger, the remaining syrup, lemon zest, and lemon juice to coat the fruit evenly.
- Step 4: Bake the pears for 20 minutes until they start to soften. If using underripe pears, you may need an additional 10-15 minutes.
- Step 5: Remove the dish from the oven and evenly scatter the crumble mixture over the pears. Return to the oven and bake for a further 15-20 minutes until the crumble is golden and the pears are fully softened.
- Step 6: Serve warm with cream, ice cream, or custard for a comforting finish.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crunch, toast the hazelnuts lightly before chopping.
- If panettone isn’t available, brioche or challah can be used as a substitute for the crumble base.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the crumble for additional warmth and spice.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at a low temperature until warmed through to keep the crumble crisp. This dessert is best enjoyed fresh but can also be served chilled.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use canned or frozen pears instead of fresh?
Fresh pears work best for texture and flavor, but canned or thawed frozen pears can be used in a pinch. Reduce baking time slightly as these pears are softer.
Is it possible to make this dessert vegan?
Yes, by substituting the butter with a vegan margarine and serving with coconut cream or a plant-based ice cream or custard, you can enjoy this crisp vegan-friendly.
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Panettone & Pear Crisp Recipe
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Description
A comforting Panettone & pear crisp combining soft pears with zesty lemon and warming stem ginger, topped with a crunchy hazelnut and panettone crumble. This baked dessert is perfect served warm with cream, ice cream, or custard.
Ingredients
Fruit Filling
- 1 ball of stem ginger, finely chopped, plus 4 tbsp syrup from the jar
- 8 pears, cored and sliced
- 1 lemon, zested and 1/2 juiced
Crumble Topping
- 300g panettone (half torn into small pieces, half blitzed to crumbs)
- 90g plain flour
- 60g cold butter, cut into cubes
- 40g hazelnuts, finely chopped
- 3 tbsp ginger syrup (from the jar)
To Serve
- Cream, ice cream, or custard
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Crumble: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan)/gas mark 4. Tear half of the panettone into small pieces and blitz the other half into crumbs using a food processor. Set aside. Rub the flour and cold butter together with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the panettone pieces and crumbs along with the finely chopped hazelnuts. Finally, drizzle in 3 tablespoons of the stem ginger syrup and mix gently to combine. Set this crumble topping aside.
- Prepare the Pears: In a medium-sized baking dish, combine the sliced pears with the chopped stem ginger and remaining ginger syrup. Add the lemon zest and juice, and stir everything together to coat the pears evenly. This mixture will infuse the pears with bright and warming flavors.
- Bake the Pears: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the pears start to soften. If your pears are underripe, you may need to extend this baking time by 10 to 15 minutes for optimal softness and flavor infusion.
- Add the Crumble and Finish Baking: Once the pears have softened, scatter the prepared crumble mixture evenly over the top. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, until the crumble topping turns golden brown and the pears are fully tender.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm, accompanied by cream, ice cream, or custard as desired for an indulgent and comforting dessert experience.
Notes
- For underripe pears, increase initial baking time to ensure they soften properly.
- You can substitute hazelnuts with other nuts like almonds or walnuts based on preference.
- Using panettone adds a festive, fruity flavor, but brioche or challah bread can work as alternatives.
- The dessert is best served warm but can be reheated gently in the oven.
- Adjust the amount of ginger syrup depending on your taste for sweetness and spice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Keywords: panettone, pear crisp, baked dessert, crumble, stem ginger, hazelnuts, lemon zest, comfort food, winter dessert

