Description
This recipe features simple baked pears that are tender and caramelized with a delicious blend of brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter, topped with crunchy nuts and optionally drizzled with honey or maple syrup. Perfect as a warm, comforting dessert or a sweet side, these baked pears deliver a naturally sweet and flavorful treat with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Pears
- 4 medium pears (Bosc or Anjou, peeled, cored, and halved)
Sugar and Sweeteners
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional)
Flavorings and Toppings
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the pears.
- Prepare Pears: Peel, halve, and core each pear to get them ready for coating and baking.
- Mix Sugar Blend: In a mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted unsalted butter thoroughly.
- Coat Pears: Coat the pear halves evenly with the brown sugar and butter mixture to ensure a sweet, flavorful crust as they bake.
- Arrange Pears: Place the coated pear halves cut-side up in a baking dish, arranging them so they bake evenly.
- Add Nuts and Drizzle: Sprinkle the chopped walnuts or pecans evenly over the pears, then drizzle honey or maple syrup over them if using for extra sweetness.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap moisture and bake the pears for 25-30 minutes until they are fork-tender.
- Uncover and Brown: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes to allow the pear tops to brown and caramelize beautifully.
- Cool and Serve: Let the baked pears cool for a few minutes before serving them warm, ideally with a drizzle of caramel sauce for an indulgent finish.
Notes
- You can substitute the nuts with almonds or omit them for a nut-free version.
- Use honey or maple syrup according to your taste preference or dietary needs.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a richer dessert experience.
- Choose ripe but firm pears to avoid overly mushy baked fruit.
- Caramel sauce pairings complement the brown sugar sweetness perfectly.
