Description
This easy baked pears recipe offers a warm, comforting dessert featuring ripe pears caramelized with brown sugar, cinnamon, and buttery walnuts. Perfect as a simple yet elegant treat, it can be enjoyed on its own or paired with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Pears
- 4 ripe pears (Bartlett or Bosc)
Spice and Sweetener
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Fat
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
Nuts
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Optional Toppings
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the pears evenly.
- Prepare Pears: Wash the ripe pears thoroughly, then cut each pear in half lengthwise and carefully remove the core from each half.
- Arrange in Dish: Place the pear halves cut side facing up in a baking dish, arranging them evenly for uniform cooking.
- Add Sugar and Cinnamon Mixture: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and ground cinnamon together. Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the pear halves, then sprinkle the sugar-cinnamon mixture on top. Finally, scatter the chopped walnuts over the pears.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes to allow the pears to soften gently and begin caramelizing.
- Finish Baking Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the pears are tender and golden caramelized on top.
- Serve: Allow the baked pears to cool slightly before serving warm. Optionally, top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a richer dessert experience.
Notes
- Choose ripe but firm pears like Bartlett or Bosc for the best texture after baking.
- If you prefer a crunchier texture, reduce the initial covered baking time slightly.
- Walnuts can be substituted with pecans or almonds based on preference.
- For a vegan version, use a plant-based butter alternative and skip the optional dairy toppings.
- Serving with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream elevates this simple dessert and balances the warm spices.
