This Spiced Pears recipe brings all the cozy vibes of a classic grandma-style dessert. Best of all, these spiced pears are simple to make, with a prep time of just 10 minutes, and they're also suitable for canning.
This spiced pear is one of the recipes that I highly rely on when pears are in season (my family's another favorite is this Arugula Pear Salad). The soft and juicy, sweetened pears with the comforting flavors make it feel like it's a dessert, but lighter.
I love serving them as dessert with a scoop of ice cream or spooned over yogurt, and they're just as tasty as a topping for granola, pancake, or oatmeal.
The gentle warmth of cinnamon and ginger makes it perfect for a chilly evening or as a festive holiday treat.
The method is straightforward: peel, slice, and simmer(poach) the pears in the simple syrup. You'll have a batch that's ready to serve or can.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
⭐️The flavors, the warm spices that make every bite comforting.
⭐️Practically a foolproof recipe.
⭐️Makes a gorgeous dish for the holiday table.
Ingredients
- Pears: Any pear works, but I prefer Anjou, Bosc, or Bartlett. Make sure they're ripe and firm(just soft to the touch).
- Sugar: I use crystallized brown sugar. You can substitute apple juice, honey, or maple syrup for sweetness(See FAQ for brief instructions).
- Cinnamon Stick: For that cozy, warm flavor. You can also substitute with a teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
- Cloves: It's optional, but they complement and enhance the woody flavors of cinnamon.
- Fresh Ginger: I strongly recommend fresh ginger-it's the highlight of this recipe. It brings a warm, slightly spicy note that makes everything more interesting. You can add just a pinch if you prefer a milder taste.
- Ground Nutmeg & Orange Zest: Optional, but I recommend it for building up the flavors(you get into the holiday mood as soon as the pears start cooking in the spiced simple syrup.
How To Make Spiced Pears
- Step 1. Peel the pears, slice them into halves, and core them.
- Step 2. Simmer water, sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, ginger (optional), nutmeg, and orange zest in a saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves.
- Step 3. Add peeled, halved, cored pears. Cover and cook 20 minutes on low, turning halfway, until just tender.
- Step 4. Remove pears. Simmer the syrup for an additional 10 minutes to thicken slightly. Stir in vanilla. Spoon warm spiced syrup over pears or chill for later.
The Leftovers
- You can store the spiced pears in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- For freezing, spread the pears out on a tray. Once they're frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer bag or container. This way, they stay separate, and it's easy to grab just the amount you need later.
FAQ
How can I serve spiced pears?
They're wonderful with yogurt, granola, or ice cream. You can also use them as a topping for pancakes or waffles, or even add them to a charcuterie or cheese board.
Bosc or Anjou pears are ideal because they hold their shape well during cooking and have a naturally sweet, firm texture. Bartlett pears are also delicious, but they tend to soften more quickly, so adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Absolutely. You can swap the sugar with apple juice, honey, or maple syrup. You can substitute water + sugar with apple juice, and start simmering. Honey tends to be sweeter than sugar, so use about half the amount of honey instead of the sugar.
To can spiced pears, start by sterilizing the jars and lids. Pack the hot, cooked pears into the jars, then pour the hot spiced syrup over them, leaving about ½ inch of space at the top. Seal the lids, and process in a boiling-water bath for about 20 minutes before cooling completely (see detailed canning methods at Penn State Extension's "Let's Preserve: Basics of Home Canning)
📖 Recipe
Spiced Pears
Ingredients
- 4 pears peeled, halved, and cored
- 8 cups water
- ½ cup sugar (See Notes 1)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 whole cloves
- 2 slices ginger optional(See Notes 2)
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon orange zest optional
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the water, sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and orange zest. Bring to a simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves.
- Gently place the pear halves into the syrup. Cover and simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes, turning pears halfway through, until they're tender but not falling apart.
- Remove pears with a slotted spoon. Continue simmering the syrup for an additional 10 minutes, until it has thickened slightly. Stir in vanilla at the end.
- Spoon syrup over the pears. Enjoy warm or let cool and chill for later.
Notes
- Use honey or maple syrup as a substitute for sugar, adjusting the amount to suit your preferred sweetness.
- Add extra ginger or a pinch more nutmeg for more pungent spice.
- Avoid rapid boiling so pears stay tender and don't break apart.
- Store cooked pears and syrup in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through, or enjoy chilled.
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