The beauty of these chewy pear bars lies in their simplicity. A buttery graham‑cracker crust forms the perfect base for a sweet, cinnamon‑spiced pear filling that’s moist, dense, and utterly irresistible. Every bite brings the cozy comfort of fall flavors, made even better by the richness of dark brown sugar and the natural juiciness of fresh pears.
Whether you’re looking to impress guests with a seasonal dessert or just want something special to snack on during a cozy afternoon, these pear bars are sure to hit the spot. They’re easy to make, easy to store, and hard to resist—especially when paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a warm mug of tea.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 3 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¾ cup softened unsalted butter
- ¼ cup sugar
For the Filling:
- 2½ cups dark brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- ⅔ cup graham cracker crumbs
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup peeled and diced pears (about 2 ripe pears)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C).
- In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, softened butter, and sugar. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend until the mixture is crumbly.
- Press that crumbly mixture into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish, forming an even layer.
- Bake the crust for 10–12 minutes, or until it’s lightly golden.
- Meanwhile, in the same bowl (or a clean one), combine the dark brown sugar, graham cracker crumbs, and flour—mix well.
- Stir in the cinnamon, ground ginger, salt, and baking powder until fully incorporated.
- Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until a thick batter forms.
- Gently fold in the diced pear pieces.
- Spread this pear batter evenly over the partially baked crust.
- Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 25–30 minutes, or until the center is set (i.e. not jiggly).
- Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into squares or rectangles.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
- Calories: 225 kcal
- (Other values such as fat, carbs, protein aren’t supplied in the original, but you can use a nutrient calculator to add them if desired.)
Additional Notes
- Why Pears for Bars? Pears bring a subtle, delicate sweetness and soft, juicy texture that deepens when baked. Unlike berries or apples, they’re often overlooked—but in this recipe, they shine.
- On the Crust & Sugar Choice: The graham cracker–butter crust is buttery and crisp, perfect to support the moist filling. Dark brown sugar gives the filling a caramel‑like depth and helps retain moisture.
- Variations & Customization:
• Try adding a handful of chocolate chips to the pear filling for a surprise twist.
• Mix in chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds) for extra crunch.
• For a gluten‑free version, use gluten‑free graham cracker crumbs or a gluten‑free cookie crumb base.
• To make dairy‑free, substitute butter with vegan butter or coconut oil. - Serving Suggestions: Serve the bars straight up, or elevate them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. A drizzle of caramel or a sprinkle of chopped nuts adds elegance.
- Storage Tips:
• At room temperature in an airtight container: up to 3 days.
• In the refrigerator: up to a week.
• To freeze: cut into individual bars, wrap tightly, and freeze up to a month. Thaw or warm gently before serving.