Smith Berry Barn

pure vanilla extract

Heirloom Apple Bourbon Crisp

November 18, 2023
0 Reviews
Heirloom Apple Bourbon Crisp
Print Recipe
A familiar & cozy dessert gets a decadent twist with the addition of bourbon. Winesap apples are delicious baked into this crisp, however any baking apple will work. Winesap is a mildly sweet-tart apple, so simply adjust the amount of sugar in the filling if your apples are more or less tart. We like Woodinville Whiskey Bourbon, but feel free to use any good quality bourbon, substitute brandy or even omit the alcohol if you prefer.
Servings Prep Time
6-8 servings 20-30 min
Cook Time Passive Time
55 min 50 min
Servings Prep Time
6-8 servings 20-30 min
Cook Time Passive Time
55 min 50 min
Heirloom Apple Bourbon Crisp
Print Recipe
A familiar & cozy dessert gets a decadent twist with the addition of bourbon. Winesap apples are delicious baked into this crisp, however any baking apple will work. Winesap is a mildly sweet-tart apple, so simply adjust the amount of sugar in the filling if your apples are more or less tart. We like Woodinville Whiskey Bourbon, but feel free to use any good quality bourbon, substitute brandy or even omit the alcohol if you prefer.
Servings Prep Time
6-8 servings 20-30 min
Cook Time Passive Time
55 min 50 min
Servings Prep Time
6-8 servings 20-30 min
Cook Time Passive Time
55 min 50 min
Ingredients
For the Filling
  • 8 cups fresh Winesap apples approx 6-7 medium apples
  • 1 whole juice of one lemon
  • 3 ounces Bourbon divided in half
  • 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 Tbs unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
  • 2 Tbs all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp allspice
For the Topping
  • 3/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 pinches kosher salt
  • 4 ounces unsalted butter chilled & cut into cubes
  • 3/4 cup oatmeal
Servings: servings
Instructions
To prepare the Filling
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9" x 9" baking pan and set aside.
  2. Prepare the apples by peeling, removing the core and slicing into thin slices and then cutting into quarters.
  3. Melt 2 Tbs butter in large saute pan over medium heat. Once butter has melted, add the apples to the pan and squeeze the juice of one lemon over the apples, along with half of the bourbon. Toss gently to coat the apples in the butter/lemon/bourbon mixture.
  4. Saute the apples for approximately 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. While the apples are cooking, mix together the remaining filling ingredients (brown sugar, flour, salt, and spices).
  6. Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the apples, along with the remaining bourbon and vanilla and toss gently to coat.
  7. Remove from heat and pour the apple mixture into the prepared 9" x 9" baking pan.
To prepare the Topping
  1. Mix brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt by pulsing several times in food processor or mixing by hand in large mixing bowl. If using food processor, add cubed butter and pulse several times until butter is the size of peas. If mixing by hand, add cubed butter and gently work butter with your fingers or pastry cutter until similar results are achieved. Finally, add oatmeal and pulse or mix just until incorporated.
  2. Once mixed with either method, a final mixing with your fingers will bring the mixture together into clumps and create a crumbly mixture. Pour this mixture immediately over the sauteed apples.
  3. Spread crumble mixture evenly over the top of the apples and place in the oven. Bake for approximately 45-50 minutes or until top is golden and juices are thickened and bubbly around the edges of the pan.
  4. Remove from oven and cool for a bit. Serve slightly warm with ice cream.

Ginger Pear Butter

October 10, 2020
Ginger Pear Butter
Print Recipe
This mellow, sweet sauce is simmered in a slow cooker and gently spiced with fresh ginger. Special tools required: slow cooker and immersion blender
Servings Prep Time
6 half pints 30 minutes
Cook Time
12 hours
Servings Prep Time
6 half pints 30 minutes
Cook Time
12 hours
Ginger Pear Butter
Print Recipe
This mellow, sweet sauce is simmered in a slow cooker and gently spiced with fresh ginger. Special tools required: slow cooker and immersion blender
Servings Prep Time
6 half pints 30 minutes
Cook Time
12 hours
Servings Prep Time
6 half pints 30 minutes
Cook Time
12 hours
Ingredients
  • 6 lbs fresh pears (peeled, sliced and cored)
  • 1 piece fresh ginger (thumb-sized) (peeled, cut into 1/4" pieces)
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 Tbs pure vanilla extract
  • 1 ea juice of one lemon
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup water
Servings: half pints
Instructions
  1. Peel, slice and core the pears and place in slow cooker.
  2. Add all remaining ingredients to slow cooker.
  3. Cover slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours. Feel free to stir occasionally during this time.
  4. Once pears have simmered and softened for desired cooking time, puree the pears using a hand immersion blender.
  5. Re-set your slow cooker to high and cook for 2-4 hours, or until pear sauce cooks down to a thicker consistency. Stir occasionally during this step.
  6. Once your pear butter has reached the desired consistency, it can be refrigerated for several weeks or preserved into canning jars for up to 1 year (see directions below).
Recipe Notes

Pear Butter can be preserved using the Ball Canning Method:

  1. Prepare boiling water canner. Heat jars in simmering water until ready to use, do not boil. Wash lids in warm soapy water and set aside with bands.
  2. Ladle hot pear butter into a hot jar leaving a 1/4 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe jar rim. Center lid on jar and apply band, adjust to fingertip tight. Place jar in boiling water canner. Repeat until all jars are filled.
  3. Process jars 15 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Turn off heat; remove lid, let jars stand 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 12 hours. Lid should not flex when center is pressed.

Caramelized Spiced Pears

October 10, 2020
Caramelized Spiced Pears
Print Recipe
This is a very easy preparation for fresh, ripe pears and creates an elegant dessert with very little effort.
Servings Prep Time
4 servings 15 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Servings Prep Time
4 servings 15 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Caramelized Spiced Pears
Print Recipe
This is a very easy preparation for fresh, ripe pears and creates an elegant dessert with very little effort.
Servings Prep Time
4 servings 15 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Servings Prep Time
4 servings 15 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Ingredients
  • 4 Tbs butter
  • 4 each fresh, ripe pears peeled, cored and sliced into quarters
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • vanilla ice cream
Servings: servings
Instructions
  1. Prepare pears by peeling, coring and slicing into quarters.
  2. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in small bowl and set aside.
  3. Melt butter in skillet over medium-high heat.
  4. Add pears to the melted butter, cut side down, arranging them carefully in the pan. Cook the pears until they begin to brown, but don't let them burn (approximately 3-4 minutes).
  5. Turn each slice with tongs, placing the other cut side down and brown again in the same way (approximately 3-4 minutes).
  6. Finally turn the pears once more so that the unbrowned side is facing down.
  7. While browing the final side, add the sugar mixture and swirl pan to incorporate into the sizzling butter. Be careful during this stage and be prepared to work quickly.
  8. Add the vanilla extract and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until the liquid begins to caramelize, turning a medium brown and thickened.
  9. Transfer pears to individual bowls. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle caramel sauce over entire dish. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes

Pears may be cut into thinner slices for a different presentation (we like to use ours on dessert pizza!), but be cautious not to over-cook the pears.  They burn easily!

Spiced Pear Cobbler

October 9, 2020
Spiced Pear Cobbler
Print Recipe
This is a perfect dessert to enjoy in the fall, featuring fresh, ripe pears and seasonal spices. Best served warm with vanilla ice cream!
Servings Prep Time
6-8 servings 30 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
45 minutes 30 minutes
Servings Prep Time
6-8 servings 30 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
45 minutes 30 minutes
Spiced Pear Cobbler
Print Recipe
This is a perfect dessert to enjoy in the fall, featuring fresh, ripe pears and seasonal spices. Best served warm with vanilla ice cream!
Servings Prep Time
6-8 servings 30 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
45 minutes 30 minutes
Servings Prep Time
6-8 servings 30 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
45 minutes 30 minutes
Ingredients
For the Filling
  • 3 Tbs butter
  • 8 each fresh, ripe pears peeled, cored and cut into pieces
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup corn starch
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
For the Topping
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp allspice
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter chilled and cut into pieces
  • 1/4 cup half & half
Servings: servings
Instructions
To prepare the Filling
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Mix all dry ingredients in bowl and set aside.
  3. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat on the stovetop. Add pears and stir to coat.
  4. Add the sugar mixture and stir to coat pears. Continue cooking and stirring carefully until sugar mixture is dissolved and becomes thickened and bubbly, approximately 5 minutes.
  5. Stir in the vanilla and remove from heat. Transfer pear mixture to a 2 quart baking dish and place in preheated oven while you prepare the topping dough. (Remove from oven after 10 minutes or as soon as topping is ready to be added)
To prepare the Topping
  1. Place all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir to combine.
  2. Add the diced butter and mix with a hand-held pastry blender until well mixed and the butter is in pea-sized pieces. (You may use a fork or your fingers for this step if you prefer)
  3. Add the half & half to the mixing bowl and stir gently until the mixture just comes together and resembles a soft dough.
  4. Remove the baking dish from the oven if it's not already out. Carefully drop the dough by spoonfuls onto the pear mixture.
  5. Place the baking dish back in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly browned and filling is bubbling.
  6. Once removed from the oven, allow to cool slightly. Can be served warm or at room temperature.