Apple Pear Crisp

Recently I helped to host one of my good friend J’s baby shower!  I have known J since the 7th grade and growing up we lived about a mile away from each other.  We both ended up going to the same college, became roommates (with two other awesome girls) –where she introduced me to Brie cheese!!! and both stayed in Los Angeles after college.  Her and her husband are also my tailgating buddies, so when I heard there would be a new addition to our tailgating crew I was beyond excited. 

I teamed up with J’s sister to plan a fun but laid back shower.  We went with an Olivia the Pig as our theme (J loves piggies) and decided to tie dye baby t-shirts!  Can you guess which one I made?  

Olivia the pig is the cutest, sassiest pig and she seems to love the colors red, black, white with some pink accents.  So I got to crafting and made some Olivia themed decorations to tie everything together.  
         

                     

I also volunteered to make the favors!  I had originally wanted to make some kind of fruit crisp in a tea cup and saucer (so cute!!) but the practical side of me won out as I wondered what people would do with a random tea cup and saucer in their cabinets.  I went with a more practical coffee mug, since I reasoned that everyone could take it to work.  It worked out well cause they also got way more Apple Pear Crisp!  I decided to use an Ina Garten recipe and have reposted it here for you!  

Apple Pear Crisp
recipe by Ina Garten via Food Network

6 apples (any baking apple I used Jonagold)
4 bosc pears
1 tsp. lemon zest
1 tsp. orange
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 Tbsp. orange juice
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar

Topping

2 sticks cold unsalted butter, diced (1/2 pound)
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup oatmeal
1/2 tsp. salt

1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Peel, core and cut the pears and apples into large even sized chunks.  Place fruit into a large bowl and add in the zests, juices, sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Pour fruit into a 9x12 baking dish or 8-10 individual sized dishes.  *I made this batch in coffee mugs and a couple of ramekins, if you do this just adjust baking time.  Also don’t be afraid to pack the fruit in tight, they will shrink down during baking!*

2.  For the topping, combine the flour, oatmeal, salt, sugars and butter in a bowl.  Mix ingredients until mixture turns into large crumbles.  *You can do this with an electric mixer or by hand with a fork.*

3.  Sprinkle crumble topping evenly over fruit mixture. 

4.  Place baking dish(es) onto a sheet pan and bake for 30-35 minutes (for individual containers) or 50 minutes in baking dish.  The top should be brown and the fruit should be bubbly.  Serve warm.

I sampled a cup right out of the oven (I couldn’t give everyone bad crisps as a favor!) and it was sooo good.  The apple and pear were an excellent combo together and the crisp was delish!  Next time I make this I am going to grate some ginger in with the apples and pears since I think it will complement the flavors nicely.  Maybe even some caramel bits, a little caramel never hurt anyone did it?  I tied these up using cute black and red ribbons, the perfect favor to take home with you.  One minute in the microwave and the guest is in heaven!  

Note:  J delivered a healthy adorable baby girl this week!  Welcome to LA baby Mila, can’t wait to hang out and get to know you.  =)