Perfect Baked Pears
- PREP 5min
- COOK 30min
- TOTAL 35min
These caramelized baked pears are stunning. We add some wine and spices to the pears towards the end of cooking. As they finish cooking, the wine reduces into a thin syrup, which is excellent drizzled over the pears when serving. You can use apple cider or pear juice as a substitute for the wine.
You Will Need
4 Bosc pears, semi-ripe
⅓ cup powdered sugar (38g)
3 tablespoons butter (42g)
¾ cup off-dry white wine like Riesling (180ml)
1 whole star anise
1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
Pinch sea salt, if using unsalted butter
Ice cream or homemade whipped cream for serving
Directions
1Prep: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C).
2Prepare the pears: Quarter and core the pears, then dust the cut sides with powdered sugar.
3Brown them: Melt the butter in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat. When the butter melts and bubbles, add the pears, cut-side down, to the butter and cook, turning the pears so the cut sides become caramelized and browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
4Bake them: Flip the pears so that they are skin-side up. Pour in the wine and add the star anise, cinnamon stick, and a small pinch of salt (if using unsalted butter). Place the pan, uncovered, in the oven and roast until the pears are tender and the wine has reduced into a thin syrup, 15 to 20 minutes.
5Serve: Transfer the pears to a serving dish, drizzle with some syrup from the bottom of the pan, and top with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Wine substitutes: Use apple cider, apple juice, or pear juice.
- No oven-safe skillet: Use a regular skillet on the stovetop to caramelize the pears in butter, then transfer them to a baking dish with the wine and spices.
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. We did not include ice cream or whipped cream in the calculations.