📖 Instructions

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a 9x13 inch baking dish, and lightly grease it. A little bit of coconut oil works wonders and adds a subtle hint of flavor!
2. Peel, core, and slice the pears. Aim for about 1/4-inch thickness. Not too thick, not too thin—just right! In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the sliced pears with the lemon juice, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. This step is really important; it's what makes the fruit shine. Also, a dash of cinnamon for added warmth.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, prepare the vegan crisp topping. Whisk together the all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend), rolled oats, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Make sure everything is evenly distributed. Nobody wants a clump of salt in their crisp!
4. Add the cold, cubed vegan butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Don't overwork it; you want those little pockets of butter that create a deliciously crumbly topping.
5. Pour the pear mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the vegan crisp topping evenly over the pears. Make sure to cover every inch of the fruit!
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the pear filling is bubbly. Keep an eye on it; ovens can be temperamental. If the topping starts to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.
7. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. This gives the filling a chance to set up a bit. Serve warm, and consider adding a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream or a dollop of coconut whipped cream. Trust me, it's divine! Oh, and a sprinkle of chopped walnuts never hurt anybody.