Bobby Flay’s Simple Dessert Is Christmas in a Bowl

The perfect dessert is three things: delicious, gorgeous and easy to make. And Bobby Flay just posted one of his go-to recipes that checks off all of these boxes.

In a recent Instagram post, Flay shared how to make his simple Pear, Apple & Cranberry Crisp, which he calls the “ultimate cozy dessert.” Since it uses up seasonal fruit and looks beautiful on a holiday plate, this warm treat will pleasantly surprise anyone that tries it. Here’s how the chef cooks up his humble crisp—including the secret ingredient he adds in that changes the game.

After peeling and slicing up 2 pounds of apples and 2 pounds of pears, he adds the fruit to a large bowl and mixes it with ⅔ cup light brown sugar, 3 cups of whole cranberries, ⅛ teaspoon of allspice, ¾ teaspoon of cinnamon, 3 tablespoons of cornstarch, ⅓ cup of fresh orange juice, orange zest, ¼ cup of maple syrup and 1 tablespoon of grated ginger.

Not only does Flay include freshly grated ginger root in the fruit base, he also adds candied ginger to the crisp topping. The chef says it brightens the dish with “a sweet bite,” so the ginger is definitely worth going to the store for. Ginger also has immune-supporting benefits, and we need all the help we can get this season.

Back to the crisp: once he flattens his fruit mixture in a casserole dish, Flay makes his topping for the dessert. He uses ¾ cup of all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons of chopped candied ginger, ⅓ cup of light brown sugar, ¼ cup of turbinado sugar, ¾ cup of chopped pecans, ½ cup of old-fashioned oats, ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon, 1 stick of melted butter and a pinch of salt. This makes the “best part of the dish,” according to Flay, and once combined, he crumbles the crisp topping over the fruit. In a 375°F oven, he bakes the crisp for about 45 minutes until the topping is golden brown.

“Your whole house is going to smell like cinnamon,” Flay says. “What’s better than that?” Honestly, we can’t think of much competition!

The result is a fragrant, tasty dessert that will warm your stomach and your soul. The Beat Bobby Flay host recommends topping this crisp with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (Duff Goldman would definitely agree).

If you like Flay’s take on a winter crisp, then you’ll love our version. Our Apple Crisp with Cranberries is completely customizable, and our readers say it’s “perfect.” And while it’s not a crisp, this High-Fiber Apple-Cranberry Baked Oats recipe embraces the same cozy flavors as a comforting, satisfying breakfast. Dessert for breakfast that leaves you feeling satiated? We think yes!