Hot Pears and Crumble
 
Ingredients
  • 6-8 pears (I used some Bosc, some Bartlett and they all worked well)
  • 15-18 mini fresh prunes (aka small plums), pits removed
  • 8 medjool dates, pits removed
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ cup hot water
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 1 cup apple cider or apple juice
Crumble:
  • 1 cups chopped pecans (optional)
  • ¾ cup flour
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup (1 stick) margarine, chilled
Instructions
  1. Peel the pears carefully, taking care to keep the the stem intact. Using a melon baller scoop out the core of the pear, removing the pits and all the hard bits.
  2. Stuff each pear first with a pitted date, then a prune. Place the pears inside the Crock-Pot right side up. Scatter remaining prunes and dates all over.
  3. Dissolve cinnamon in the hot water. Add maple syrup and the apple cider (or juice). Pour mixture over pears and set to cook on high for about 5 hours or until tender. Once fork tender you can lower temperature to warm.
  4. Prepare the crumble. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine pecans, flour, sugars, cinnamon, and margarine in a bowl and crumble all by hand. Spread on prepared baking sheet and bake for 18 minutes. Mix the crumbs from time to time.
  5. With a fork break it apart, let cool. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.
  6. To plate: Place about 2 tablespoons of the crumble on each plate. Top with a cooked pear and some of the cooked fruit. Top with some more crunch if desired. Serve immediately.
Recipe by Between Carpools at https://betweencarpools.com/hot-pears-and-crumbs-is-the-perfect-dessert-and-you-can-make-it-in-your-crock-pot/