Pear Crumble

I've been missing dessert something fierce while on this diet. Almost everything else I crave we've figured out a way to fake, and many things I used to lust after I just don't miss anymore. Not being able to bake however has been really disappointing. There are a lot of sweet things it's impossible to make without sugar or flour.

Fortunately there quite a few blogs out there written by people with similar diet restrictions that are finding ways of making really delicious desserts without either. I decided to start experimenting with something simple and summery. The original recipe called for peaches but it's not quite that time of year yet so pears made a nice substitute, they went well with the sweet almond crumble.

Somehow I managed to resist the urge to eat the whole pans of this yummy treat, in fact I've been nibbling on it for days and very happy about it.

Pear Crumble

6 pears, chopped in bite sized pieces
(original recipe called for 8 peaches which aren't in season yet)
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup water, approximately

6 oz ground almonds
2 lemons, zested
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 teaspoons agave nectar
4 teaspoons cold butter


Preheat the oven to 320.

Heat gently in a saucepan with a tablespoon of butter and enough water just to cover the bottom of the pan but not cover the fruit, I used about1/4 cup. You can always add more water if you want. Cook gently until the fruit is soft, but not too pulpy. There should be just enough juice around the fruit to make the crumble juicy, not swimming. Pile into a small baking dish and spread into an even layer.

Pour ground almonds into a mixing bowl with vanilla and lemon zest. Spoon in agave and butter, rub together gently with your fingertips until a damp crumble mixture forms. Spoon over the fruit and pop into the oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and bubbling.

Original recipe from Straight into Bed Cakefree and Dried blog.