Fall isn't just for apples! These pear dessert recipes are the best treat of the season, from buttery galettes to warm crumbles and spice-kissed cakes.
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Pear Crisp
From the Recipe Creator:
Since my husband is a livestock truck driver, he often starts work early in the morning. This pear crisp recipe will keep him going until breakfast. Our two boys love to have it for dessert and in their school lunches. —Joanne Korevaar, Burgessville, Ontario
2/40
Pear Crumble
From the Recipe Creator:
Originally a pear crumble pie, I shortened this to a crumble when I often was too short of time to make a pie crust. I've also found canned pears work as well as fresh, so that makes it even easier to prepare. -Kezia Sullivan, Sackets Harbor, New York
3/40
Pear Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
I entered this pie in a local baking contest and ended up winning! Bartlett pears hold up well when baked, adding a nice layer of texture. —Darlene Jacobson, Waterford, Wisconsin
4/40
Spiced Pomegranate-Pear Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This special-occasion pomegranate cake is a delicious combination of tender cake, tart fruit and rich buttercream. It is also beautiful and stays moist for days. —Kelly Koutahi, Moore, Oklahoma
5/40
Slow-Cooked Gingered Pears
From the Recipe Creator:
My slow cooker allows me to serve a heartwarming dessert without much effort. Topped with caramel sauce, these tender pears feature a surprise filling of nuts and brown sugar.—Catherine Mueller, St. Paul, Minnesota
6/40
Maple-Orange Pear Crisp
From the Recipe Creator:
In fall, my family loves to kick back after dinner and dig into big bowls of this spiced crisp. It isn't too sweet, but it still satisfies a sweet tooth. —Noreen McCormick Danek, Cromwell, Connecticut
7/40
Pear Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
When pears are in season, I love to make this family favorite. It's moist and keeps well, and makes a wonderful dessert as well as a breakfast or brunch cake.
8/40
Red Wine & Cranberry Poached Pears
From the Recipe Creator:
While being poached, the pear absorbs the sweetness and spice from the sugar, wine, cinnamon and peppercorn. It makes an easy yet elegant dessert that's perfect for a special night. —Kiersten Atkinson, Birmingham, Alabama
9/40
Pear Cobbler
From the Recipe Creator:
This sweet and simple pear cobbler bakes to a nice golden brown. With cinnamon sugar mixed in, your house will smell like the holidays. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
10/40
Pear Bundt Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Next time you make cake from a mix, try my easy and delicious recipe. The pears and syrup add sweet flavor and prevent the cake from drying out. And since there's no oil added to the batter, this tender fall-perfect cake is surprisingly low in fat. —Veronica Ross, Columbia Heights, Minnesota
11/40
Lattice-Topped Pear Slab Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
A lattice top serves as a charming frame for this special holiday dessert filled with fresh pears and candied fruit. Add a dollop of whipped cream if you like. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona
12/40
Glazed Pear Shortcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
Family and friends will savor every last crumb of this lickety-split dessert. The pound cake absorbs the apricot flavor and the warm sweetness of the pears. Special enough to serve company—and cute, too! —Fran Thomas, St. James City, Florida
13/40
Apple and Pear Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
When my sister Catherine made her apple cake for me, I knew I needed the recipe. For my version, I added some pears from the trees on our acreage. The resulting apple-pear cake is so moist and tastes so good. Now every time I make it, people want my recipe. —Mary Ann Lees, Centreville, Alabama
14/40
Toffee-Pear Crisp Bread Pudding
From the Recipe Creator:
My son loves pear crisp, but one night I was making bread pudding. He asked if I could make both. I compromised by combining two desserts into this one dish. It's absolutely fantastic! —Kurt Wait, Redwood City, California
15/40
Caramel Pear Pudding
From the Recipe Creator:
Don't expect this old-fashioned dessert to last long. The delicate pears and irresistible caramel topping make it a winner whenever I serve it. It's nice to have a tempting fall cake that puts the season's best pears to excellent use.
—Sharon Mensing, Greenfield, Iowa
16/40
Butterscotch Pears
From the Recipe Creator:
This grand finale simmers during dinner and impresses as soon as you bring it to the table. Serve as is, or with vanilla ice cream and a slice of pound cake. Leftover pear nectar is heavenly when added to sparkling wine or simply poured over ice. —Theresa Kreyche, Tustin, California
17/40
Rustic Pear Tart
From the Recipe Creator:
I saw a recipe for this rustic tart in a cookbook and wanted to try my own version of it. I changed the spices and chose my own fruits. It is a perfect dessert for fall. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
18/40
Ginger Apple-Pear Crisp
From the Recipe Creator:
Enjoy autumn aromas—apples, cinnamon and spices—in this delicious recipe. It's even better with a scoop of vanilla or pumpkin ice cream! Whipped cream is always an option. —Holly Battiste, Barrington, New Jersey
19/40
Chocolate Pear Hazelnut Tart
From the Recipe Creator:
As a teenage foreign exchange student in the south of France, I was horribly homesick. Then my host family's Grandmother Miette arrived and asked if I'd like to help her bake this nutty tart from scratch. It turned my trip around and inspired my lifelong passion for baking. Weighing ingredients, roasting nuts, kneading dough—the art of baking transcends language. —Lexi McKeown, Los Angeles, California
20/40
Baked Pears
From the Recipe Creator:
This baked pears recipe is very versatile. You can serve it warm or cold and for any size group. Chilled pears can be dressed up with a dollop of whipped topping, fruit-filled yogurt or ice cream. —Betty Schledorn, Ocala, Florida
21/40
Old-Fashioned Pear Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Old-fashioned pear spice cake is a wonderful ending to a meal. It's not too heavy or rich, but the moist treat is brimming with flavor.—Audrey Golden, Cary, North Carolina
22/40
Orchard Pear Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
I made this pie using Bartlett pears fresh from the orchard. It’s a lovely dessert to include in your holiday menu. You can also use canned pears if fresh are not available. —Mary Anne Thygesen, Portland, Oregon
23/40
Pear Pandowdy
From the Recipe Creator:
I pulled out this recipe one night when my husband was craving something sweet, and it was a big hit with both of us. It's a superb last-minute dessert that almost melts in your mouth. —Jennifer Class, Kirkland, Washington.
24/40
Pear Gruyere Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
I love cheese and fruit, so this pie is a natural pairing for me. Sweet and spicy wine-poached pears and a flaky, buttery cheese crust make for a winning dessert you’ll want to make again and again. If you’re serving this for Thanksgiving, bake leaf-shaped pie pastry on top for a festive look. —Alexandra Penfold, Brooklyn, New York
25/40
Burgundy Pears
From the Recipe Creator:
These warm spiced pears elevate slow cooking to a new level of elegance, yet they're incredibly easy to make. Your friends won't believe this fancy-looking dessert came from a slow cooker. —Elizabeth Hanes, Peralta, New Mexico
26/40
Caramel Apple-Pear Crisp
From the Recipe Creator:
This crisp is packed with a combination of healthy pears and apples, and just the right amount of tasty walnuts in the topping. You'll love it! —Amanda Pettit, Logan, Ohio
27/40
Ginger-Lime Pear Cobbler
From the Recipe Creator:
We have a huge pear tree in our yard, which is why I came up with this recipe. The tart lime, sweet pears and tangy ginger are a winning combination. —Heather Naas, Lompoc, California
28/40
Hazelnut Pear Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
From the hazelnuts to the yummy browned butter glaze, this dessert is a little different from an everyday pound cake. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
29/40
Gingersnap Crumb Pear Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
This basic recipe was one my grandmother used for making crumble pies from fresh fruit. She simply substituted oats, gingersnaps or vanilla wafers depending on the fruit. Pear was always my favorite, and I added the ginger and caramel to give it a new twist. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
30/40
Apple-Pear Crisp
From the Recipe Creator:
The mix of tart apples and ripe pears creates an irresistible fall crisp, blanketed with a perfectly spiced and buttery oat topping. We like it warm from the oven with a spoonful of whipped cream. —Holly Battiste, Barrington, New Jersey
31/40
Poached Pears with Orange Cream
From the Recipe Creator:
End the meal with a flourish with this easy and elegant dessert. A hint of orange lends just enough sweetness to temper the wine's bold taste. —Julianne Schnuck, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
32/40
Cinnamon-Pear Rustic Tart
From the Recipe Creator:
I was lucky enough to spend the holidays with my husband's family in Montana. I loved the rustic simplicity of each dish we tasted, especially this rustic pear tart my mother-in-law made. —Leah Waldo, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts
33/40
Cherry Pear Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
Two of my family's favorite fruits appear in this splendid pie with a nutty streusel topping. I like to serve slices with cherry-vanilla frozen yogurt.—Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
34/40
Upside-Down Pear Gingerbread Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
The aroma of baking gingerbread stirs up such warm memories. This cake looks festive and is even on the lighter side. —Nancy Beckman, Helena, Montana
35/40
Pear Puff Pastry
From the Recipe Creator:
A honey of a salute to late-summer pear season, this cozy dessert looks both elegant and decadent. Wrapped in puff pastry, the pears resemble little beehives. —Heather Baird, Knoxville, Tennessee
36/40
Apple Pear Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
This pear apple pie, really says "fall." What a yummy way to use your backyard bounty or the pickings from local orchards! I've made plenty of pies over the years, and this is a real standout. —Grace Camp, Owingsville, Kentucky
37/40
Upside-Down Pear Pancake
From the Recipe Creator:
There’s a pear tree in my yard that inspires me to bake with its fragrant fruit. This upside-down pancake works best with a firm pear, not one that is fully ripe. —Helen Nelander, Boulder Creek, California
38/40
Almond Pear Tart
From the Recipe Creator:
I had never seen a "pie without a pan" until my daughter brought back this wonderful pear almond tart recipe from a Rotary Club exchange program in Belgium. It's still a family favorite after all these years. —Sherry LaMay, Capitan, New Mexico
39/40
Apple-Pear Compote
From the Recipe Creator:
Apples and pears are almost always popular, so this warm, comforting dessert recipe is great for potlucks or other get-togethers. I also like to add raisins or chopped nuts to the compote, and for a more adult flavor I add 1/3 cup brandy or rum.—Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
40/40
Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
The flavors of fresh, sweet pears and gingerbread blend beautifully in this intriguing variation on pineapple upside down cake. Leftovers—if there are any—taste amazing with coffee or tea the next day. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
Pear Dessert Recipes FAQ
What type of pears are best for baking?
The best types of pears for baking are those that stay firm and don’t turn to mush in the oven. Bosc, Anjou and Concorde varieties are ideal because they’re dense enough to hold their shape in pies, crisps and tarts, even after long oven time. Their flesh doesn’t break down easily, so they work well in recipes where the fruit needs to be sliced or layered. Bartlett pears are softer and more fragrant, making them a better fit for quick-bake dishes and poaching or blending into sauces and fillings.
Can I make pear desserts ahead of time?
Absolutely. Many pear desserts can be made ahead. Baked crisps and cobblers can be assembled a few hours before and chilled until baking. Quick breads and upside-down cakes stay moist for a day or two when you store them in airtight containers. Poached pears and fruit compotes keep well in the fridge and are just as good chilled as warm. If you have extra pears on hand, turn them into pear preserves or homemade pear honey to enjoy this fall staple throughout the year.
How do I prevent pears from turning brown in recipes?
Pears turn brown due to oxidation when the flesh is exposed to air. To slow this process, toss slices with a bit of lemon juice, orange juice or a mix of water and citric acid (about ¼ teaspoon per cup of fruit). This acidic barrier effectively stops the browning process. Alternatively, you can soak them in a 1:4 mixture of water and honey for a minute to lock in moisture and prevent browning, before layering them into desserts. You can use the same methods to keep apples from browning.
