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Home / Recipes / Dessert / Crisps & Cobblers / Holiday Fruit Crisp

Holiday Fruit Crisp

1 hr 5 mins
| 40 Comments |
4.92 from 12 votes
Jump to Recipe 11/07/14 | Updated: 05/23/20 | by Nora
Holiday Fruit Crisp Pin Graphic

We love fruit desserts a lot around here, and this recipe for a Holiday Crisp (aka an Apple, Pear and Cranberry Crisp) is one of my favorites for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

top down view on three bowls filled with fruit crisp and ice cream on a wooden board

Fruit crisps are one of my favorite desserts – and this festive little number comes together quickly in about 15 minutes (depending on your fruit ninja slicing skills). Here I make the simple filling with apples, pears and cranberries; all topped off with a delicious oat crunch.

I really enjoy cooking with seasonal produce, and I like quick and easy recipes even more. So, this is defintiely one of my staple desserts for the fall and winter months.

Ingredients you’ll need

image collage to show ingredients needed for holiday fruit crisp
Ingredients for Holiday Fruit Crisp: Oats, brown sugar, pecans, flour, salt, cinnamon, cold butter, apples, pears, cranberries, white sugar, plus a liitle bit more flour and cinnamon.

Ingredient notes

  • sugar: you can use all brown or all white sugar, if you don’t have both kinds.
  • pecans: you can replace these with oats in case of an allergy, or if you don’t have any.
  • butter: please use butter cold from the fridge; please do not substitute a buttery spread. If wanting to use margarine, you have to use stick margarine (and not the soft, spreadable kind).

Step by step photos

This is a very classic, simple recipe to make a fruit crisp. All you have to do is assemble the topping, stir up the filling and then layer them in a baking dish.

photo collage to show steps in holiday fruit crisp
Steps to make this fruit crisp: 1) Combine the dry ingredients for topping, 2) cut in the butter. 3) Combine the filling and 4) place in buttered dish. 5) Top with crumble topping and bake.

Tips & tricks

  • Don’t skip chilling the topping: This helps the topping to turn out crumbly and stay on top of the fruit – otherwise the butter could melt too fast and you’d be left with a greasy filling and a try topping.
  • Peeling the fruit: If you want to peel the apples and pears for the crisp, feel free to do so. I actually like the pop of color the skin adds, and it helps the softer pears to stay in shape.
  • Make ahead instructions: This is a great dessert to make ahead up to 2 days. Finish baking, then cool it completely on a rack. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and chill. To reheat, unwrap and place it in the oven at 300°F until hot. Cover the top with aluminum foil if needed to prevent too much browning.

Watch the recipe video


PS If you try this recipe, please leave a review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram. Sign up for my email list, too!

Printable Recipe Card
top down view on bowl with fruit crisp and ice cream
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Holiday Fruit Crisp

Fruit crisps are one of my favorite desserts – and this festive little number comes together quickly in about 15 minutes! It's ffull of delicious holiday flavors you won't want to miss.
Recipe by Nora from Savory Nothings
made it? tap the stars to add your rating!
4.92 from 12 votes
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Recipe details

Prep 15 mins
Cook 35 mins
Cooling Time 15 mins
Total 1 hr 5 mins
Difficulty Easy
Servings 6 Servings
Nutrition 392 kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowls
  • Knife
  • Chopping Board
  • 7×11 inch Baking Dish

Ingredients
 

For the Topping:

  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup rolled oats
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup chopped pecan nuts
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • pinch of salt
  • ¼ cup cold butter

For the Filling:

  • 3 medium apples cored and diced
  • 2 medium pears cored and diced
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries large ones halved
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar or more to taste
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • Heat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a deep 7×11 inch baking dish.
  • In a medium bowl, stir all topping ingredients EXCEPT for butter together. Cut in cold butter until crumbs form (use clean hands, a pastry cutter doesn't work as well due to the nuts). Set aside in the fridge.
    female hands holding a glass bowl with crumble topping
  • Combine all ingredients for the filling in a large mixing bowl, stirring well to evenly distribute the sugar and flour.
    top down view on white bowl with fruit crisp filling
  • Place the filling in the prepared baking dish. Evenly cover the fruit filling with the chilled topping.
    top down view on baking dish with unbaked fruit crisp
  • Bake the crisp for 35-40 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbly. Rest on a rack on the counter for 10-15 minutes before serving.
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Notes

Don’t skip chilling the topping: This helps the topping to turn out crumbly and stay on top of the fruit – otherwise the butter could melt too fast and you’d be left with a greasy filling and a try topping.
Peeling the fruit: If you want to peel the apples and pears for the crisp, feel free to do so. I actually like the pop of color the skin adds, and it helps the softer pears to stay in shape.
Make ahead instructions: This is a great dessert to make ahead up to 2 days. Finish baking, then cool it completely on a rack. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and chill. To reheat, unwrap and place it in the oven at 300°F until hot. Cover the top with aluminum foil if needed to prevent too much browning.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 392kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 4gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 103mgFiber: 7gSugar: 42g
Nutrition is an estimate.

More recipe information

Suitable for: Vegetarian
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

More crisps and cobblers

  • Quick Apple Crisp
  • Easy Blueberry Cobbler
  • Easy Rhubarb Crisp
  • Crockpot Apple Cobbler

This recipe was actually one of the first ones I shared here on Savory Nothings, and it was in desperate need of an update. Well, here it is now – transported from its 2014 blogging days into 2019 glory.

I updated it to be even easier and better – a little more sugar in the filling so the cranberries don’t taste too tart, and a much simpler and quicker preparation. Now it’s perfect, if I dare say so myself. Top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and you’re set 😉

Enjoy!

Nora Rusev from Savory Nothings
About Nora 
When I got married to my professional chef husband, I realized I had to step up my game in the kitchen. Now I share my favorite foolproof family recipes here on Savory Nothings: Chef-approved, kid-vetted and easy enough for everyday home cooks like you and me!   Learn more.

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Comments

  1. Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says

    December 18, 2014 at 10:56 pm

    Yum, I love peach crisps in the summer but this is such a great way to carry it over to fall! I love the blend of fruits you used!!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      December 19, 2014 at 7:43 pm

      Thank you so much Jess!

      Reply
  2. Alessandra // the foodie teen says

    December 18, 2014 at 4:35 pm

    Looks absolutely mouthwatering! You always have such amazing ideas, and I love that first photo!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      December 19, 2014 at 7:42 pm

      Thanks so much Alessandra!

      Reply
  3. Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven says

    December 18, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    Any kind of fruit crisp is my ultimate weakness! I absolutely love how homey and festive this looks! The color is absolutely gorgeous, as are your photos, girl! Totally wishing I had a bowl in my hands right now. 🙂 Pinned!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      December 19, 2014 at 7:42 pm

      Awww you’re the sweetest Sarah! Thanks so much and thanks for pinning!

      Reply
  4. Cyndi @ My Kitchen Craze says

    December 18, 2014 at 8:29 am

    This fruit crisp looks out of this world and your pictures are gorgeous!! How cool that you and your hubby met in a cooking class. Love the lighten version of this too and that crumble on top…agh I want some right now. Yummy! 😉

    Reply
    • Nora says

      December 19, 2014 at 7:41 pm

      Thank you so much Cyndi! Haha yes, I like our story 🙂

      Reply
  5. Sarah @ Savoring Spoon says

    December 18, 2014 at 8:26 am

    This apple crisp looks delicious ~ so festive and healthy too! My parents are visiting this weekend and my mom is very into healthy food so I think she’ll love this. Pinned!

    Also what a cute story of how you met your husband! 🙂

    Reply
    • Nora says

      December 19, 2014 at 7:41 pm

      Thank you so much Sarah! Fruit crisps are great for people who are into eating healthier 🙂

      Reply
  6. Justine | Cooking and Beer says

    December 18, 2014 at 4:02 am

    I love this story, Nora! …and this fruit crisp is so festive! Pinned!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      December 19, 2014 at 7:40 pm

      Thank you so much Justine and thanks for pinning 🙂

      Reply
  7. Crystal | Apples & Sparkle says

    December 18, 2014 at 3:01 am

    Amazing Nora! Any treat that looks this good as well as being a little on the healthier side is a huge bonus! : )

    Reply
    • Nora says

      December 19, 2014 at 7:40 pm

      Thanks so much Crystal 🙂

      Reply
  8. Cheyanne says

    December 17, 2014 at 9:11 pm

    This looks divine! I love that it doesn’t look “skinny”. I must try this! Gorgeous photos too, by the way ♡

    Reply
    • Nora says

      December 19, 2014 at 7:36 pm

      Thank you Cheyanne!!

      Reply
  9. Tori@Gringalicious.com says

    December 17, 2014 at 5:20 pm

    So, um, this is like healthy? So I can eat all of it right? It looks completely delicious!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      December 17, 2014 at 9:07 pm

      YES! Eat all of it and then make another batch 😀 Thanks Tori!

      Reply
  10. Sarah | Broma Bakery says

    December 17, 2014 at 4:46 pm

    It looks fantastic! Definitely a fan of lighter desserts on Christmas. Pinned 🙂

    Reply
    • Nora says

      December 17, 2014 at 9:07 pm

      Thanks SO much Sarah and thanks for pinning 🙂

      Reply
  11. WholeYum says

    December 17, 2014 at 4:52 am

    I bet this smelled amazing!! Looks delicious 🙂

    Reply
    • Nora says

      December 17, 2014 at 9:07 pm

      Thank you so much 🙂

      Reply
  12. Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says

    December 17, 2014 at 4:29 am

    Fruit crisp is one of my favorite desserts to make around the holidays. It is full of fruit and spices but isn’t overly sweet. I’ll take a big bowl, please!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      December 17, 2014 at 9:06 pm

      –> passes a huge bowl of fruit crisp. Thanks for stopping by Ashley 🙂

      Reply
  13. Amanda @ Cookie Named Desire says

    December 17, 2014 at 4:22 am

    What a cute story and the crisp looks and soundS amazing. I’m sure it tastes great even if it’s left in the oven a little longer than intended!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      December 17, 2014 at 9:06 pm

      Thanks Amanda! Yes it was still edible, I was lucky it didn’t burn too much, ha! 🙂

      Reply
  14. Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says

    December 17, 2014 at 4:15 am

    That is so cute that you met your husband in a cooking class! I wish I had such a cute story for how I met mine…in line for the beer tent at a music festival :/ This fruit crisp looks amazing, it’s funny I always think of crisp as summery but this one is so wintery and delicious looking!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      December 17, 2014 at 9:05 pm

      Haha Denise, that’s a great story too! I don’t think many people who meet in line for a beer tent anywhere stick together 🙂

      Reply
  15. Shinee says

    December 17, 2014 at 3:42 am

    Such a cute story of you guys! This crisp sounds great. Can’t wait to get home tomorrow and bake it. I should have all the fruits already, unless hubs ate them all. 🙂

    Reply
    • Nora says

      December 17, 2014 at 9:03 pm

      Thanks Shinee! Hope your husband left some fruit for you 😀

      Reply
  16. katie says

    December 17, 2014 at 2:21 am

    5 stars
    I’n so impressed that you are still thinking of healthy things to eat this time a year! I’m going down in flames right now! I need more fruit crips in my life. This looks way to tasty to be skinny 🙂

    Reply
    • Nora says

      December 17, 2014 at 9:03 pm

      Haha, trust me, this is not like me AT ALL! But I’m seriously jealous of my non-maternity pants hanging in my closet 😀 Thanks for stopping by Katie 🙂

      Reply
  17. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    December 17, 2014 at 1:00 am

    What a great story, Nora! And I’m loving this fruit crisp! Such a nice change from the heavy ones. Looks delicious, too!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      December 17, 2014 at 9:02 pm

      Thank you so much Gayle!

      Reply
  18. Helen @ Scrummy Lane says

    December 16, 2014 at 10:10 pm

    Mmmm … I so love that you have cinnamon and ginger in here! And, of course … cranberries! It’s wonderful too that every time you make and eat this you are reminded of getting together with hubs. Can’t imagine food can get any better!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      December 17, 2014 at 9:02 pm

      Yes, it’s a nice little reminder indeed 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Helen!

      Reply
  19. Christina @ Bake with Christina says

    December 16, 2014 at 7:55 pm

    How sweet and perfect that you met your husband in a cooking class! And I’m in LOVE with this fruit crisp! It looks SO tasty, and I can’t believe it’s “skinny”! So I can have the whole pan, right? 🙂

    Reply
    • Nora says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:01 pm

      It’s a great story to tell 😀 And YES to the whole pan, that’s what I like to do 😀

      Reply
  20. Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says

    December 16, 2014 at 6:08 pm

    5 stars
    Such a sweet story! I love that you and your husband met in a cooking class! So meant to be : ) This crisp looks delicious! I love that crumbly topping.

    Reply
    • Nora says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:02 pm

      Haha, yes 🙂 Thanks for stopping by 🙂

      Reply

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Nora Rusev from Savory Nothings

Hi, I'm Nora! I wasn't always a good cook, but then I fell in love with a professional chef and learned my way around the kitchen. Now I share all my secrets to effortlessly great food here on my blog, bite-sized for home cooks just like me and you.

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