Xanthan Gum Free Pear and Ginger Crumble
Warm spiced pears bubbling beneath a golden, nutty crumble — this dessert is the kind of thing that makes your whole kitchen smell incredible. The filling leans on arrowroot starch as a natural thickener, which means you get that gorgeous, jammy consistency without any gums or additives that can sneak into store-bought mixes and packaged baking blends. Fresh ginger and lemon juice brighten the pears, while cardamom and cinnamon give the whole dish a cozy, almost exotic warmth. The topping comes together with rolled oats, almond flour, and chopped walnuts bound by maple syrup and coconut oil — no fillers, no stabilizers, just ingredients that actually do the work. After about 35 to 40 minutes in the oven, the topping turns deep golden and the edges of the filling bubble up thick and glossy. Letting it rest for a few minutes before serving is worth the patience — the filling sets up beautifully and scoops cleanly into bowls. Serve it as-is or with a scoop of your favorite ice cream for a dessert that feels genuinely indulgent.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
For the filling
- 2 lbs ripe but firm pears (about 5 medium), peeled, cored, and cut into ¾-inch chunks
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp arrowroot starch
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cardamom
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
For the topping
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup almond flour
- ½ cup raw walnuts, roughly chopped
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch baking dish with a small amount of coconut oil.
- 2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the pear chunks, grated ginger, 2 tbsp maple syrup, arrowroot starch, cinnamon, cardamom, and lemon juice. Toss until the pears are evenly coated, then spread the mixture in an even layer in the prepared baking dish.
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