Pear-berry Ginger Crisp

This is a great spring dessert.  You could use any fruit (pears, apples, plums) and berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, cherries) that are in season at the time.  It is gluten-free (be sure to get gluten-free oats if this is important to you!), dairy-free, and more spicy than sweet.  The natural flavors of whole ingredients really comes through.  Enjoy -

Ingredients

Filling:

2 pounds fresh, ripe pears (peeled, sliced)

1 pound organic strawberries, cut in half

2 Tbsp cornstarch

1 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp powdered ginger

¼ tsp ground cloves

½ cup organic maple syrup

Topping:

¼ cup organic maple syrup

3 Tbsp almond butter

2 Tbsp un-sweetened applesauce (I used the “mixed berry” kind)

1 tsp real vanilla extract

1.5 cups rolled oats

½ tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp salt

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
2. Line an 8x8 glass baking pan with parchment paper, making sure it covers all sides completely.
3. Place fruit in a large bowl.  Sprinkle with cornstarch, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.  Place in baking pan.  Drizzle evenly with syrup.
4. Prepare topping:  use a fork to stir together syrup, butter, applesauce, and vanilla.  Add remaining ingredients and toss to coat. 
5. Sprinkle topping over fruit mixture.  Bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.  Reduce heat to 350 and bake an additional 20 minutes.  Serve warm.