📖 Instructions

1. Alright, lets start this culinary adventure by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Make sure the rack is in the center. This ensures even baking!
2. Let's prep those pears. Peel, core, and slice 6 medium pears (such as Bartlett or Anjou) into about 1/4-inch thick pieces. I like em medium, they hold up better.
3. In a large bowl, gently toss the sliced pears with 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice (this keeps them from browning!), and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Mix em well.
4. Transfer the pear mixture to a 9-inch square baking dish. Ensure the pears are evenly distributed because no one wants a pearless bite.
5. Now, for the crumble topping! In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup of rolled oats, 3/4 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Mix these dry ingredients thoroughly with a whisk.
6. Add 1/2 cup (1 stick) of cold, unsalted butter, cut into small cubes, to the dry ingredients. Now, use a pastry blender or your fingertips (if you're brave!) to cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This is where the magic happens!
7. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the pear mixture in the baking dish. You want a nice, thick layer to get that perfect crisp texture. Press down gently with your hands.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the pears are tender and bubbly. Keep a close eye on it, ovens can be tricky!
9. While the crisp is baking, let's make the custard. In a medium saucepan, whisk together 2 cups of whole milk, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, 1/4 cup of cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Make sure there are no lumps!
10. Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and comes to a simmer. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Dont stop stirring!
11. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in 2 large egg yolks, 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Whisk vigorously until everything is well combined and the custard is smooth and creamy. Now that is what i'm talking about, yum.
12. Let the custard cool slightly before serving. This prevents it from being too runny.
13. Once the pear crisp is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. This allows the pears to settle and the flavors to meld together.
14. Serve the warm pear crisp with a generous dollop of the homemade custard. A sprinkle of extra cinnamon on top is always a good idea.