These easy poached pears make a beautiful dessert that comes together in no time. The pears are gently simmered in a warm spiced syrup made with brown sugar, vanilla, orange, and cinnamon, then the liquid is reduced into a rich, flavorful glaze. A quick drizzle of simple two-ingredient chocolate sauce adds the perfect finishing touch.
Other easy desserts include cute little cherry pie and these no-bake blueberry parfaits.
This recipe is part of my Cooking for One collection of easy sweet treats.
Would you like to save this recipe?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Standard recipe with four pears originally published on my other blog thebuttercookie.com
This alcohol-free version of classic poached pears delivers all the flavor without using wine or liqueur. It’s made with just a few pantry staples; water, brown sugar, vanilla, orange, and cinnamon to create a beautifully spiced syrup.
It’s mostly hands-off, with under 10 minutes of prep time before the saucepan takes over. These pears are also a great make-ahead dessert; they taste even better after a night in the fridge, soaking up all that syrupy goodness.
Ingredients and Notes
- Choose slightly under ripe pears that give just a little when pressed near the stem; they’ll soften beautifully in the syrup without turning mushy.
- Look for evenly colored pears with smooth, unbroken skin, as blemishes can darken during poaching.
- Pick pears of similar size for even cooking.
- Bosc pears are the most dependable for classic poached pears.
- Anjou, especially Red Anjou, offers good texture and a pop of color.
- Use Bartlett only if it’s just barely ripe—overripe ones tend to fall apart.
Any firm pear will do in a pinch, but firmer varieties make for easier cooking and a richer syrup
Step-by-Step Process Photos
1.) Mix the poaching liquid, 2. poach the pears, 3. Mix chocolate sauce ingredients 4. mix the chocolate sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Serve them chilled with a drizzle of easy two-ingredient chocolate sauce for a simple, elegant treat or add a scoop of easy no-churn homemade ice cream.
Recipe Tips
To help the pears cook evenly and stand upright, slice a thin piece off the bottom of each one before poaching. For an added layer of fragrance, toss in a strip of orange peel while the syrup simmers. Don’t toss any leftover syrup, it’s amazing drizzled over pancakes, stirred into oatmeal, or spooned over yogurt
How to Store Leftover Poached Pears
Store the poached pears in their syrup in the fridge for up to 2 days, the flavors get even better by the next day.
Gently reheat the pears in their syrup on the stove top or in the microwave until just warmed through. The chocolate sauce will keep in the fridge for up to a week. when you’re ready to use it, warm it in the microwave at 50% power in short 15-second bursts, stirring in between.
Poached Pears
Ingredients
Recipe Directions
- Add the water, brown sugar, vanilla extract and ground cinnamon to a small saucepan big enough for two pears and have the liquid partially cover the pears, and place over a medium-high heat. Bring to the boil, before reducing to a low-medium heat.
- Add the pears to the saucepan and cover. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until pears are tender when pierced with a small sharp knife, but still hold their shape.
- Remove the pears from the poaching liquid and set aside. Continue simmering the poaching liquid for 15-10 minutes or until reduced into a syrup.
- Place the cream in a microwave safe mixing bowl, and microwave for 30 seconds or until hot but not boiling. Stir through the chopped chocolate, and allow to sit for 2 minutes. Whisk until the chocolate has melted and sauce is smooth.
- Serve the poached pears with the syrup, and drizzle over the chocolate sauce.
Would you like to save this recipe?
We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Nutrition
Notes
- Pears should be almost covered by the poaching liquid, keeping in mind the pears will float and it will be impossible to completely submerge the pears. Add more water if necessary until the pears are covered. The amount of water added could also be reduced for smaller pears
- The amount of time the pears take to poach depends on the size of the pears. You may need to extend the poaching time for larger pears.
- The pears can also be cored and halved before poaching if preferred. Reduce the poaching time to suit.