Description
Delight in the warm, comforting flavors of Cinnamon Honey Baked Pears, a simple yet elegant dessert that combines ripe pears with a fragrant blend of cinnamon, honey, and vanilla. This baked treat is enhanced with optional butter and toasted nuts, perfect served warm alongside Greek yogurt, whipped cream, or ice cream for an indulgent finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit
- 2 large ripe pears (such as Bosc or Anjou)
Flavorings
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Enhancements (optional)
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter (optional, for extra richness)
- 2 tbsp chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds) (optional)
- Greek yogurt, whipped cream, or ice cream (for serving, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the pears evenly and caramelizing the honey and cinnamon topping.
- Prepare Pears: Wash the pears thoroughly and cut them in half lengthwise. Using a spoon or melon baller, scoop out the core and seeds to create a small cavity in each pear half, which will hold the butter and flavorings.
- Stabilize Pear Halves: Place the pear halves cut-side up in a baking dish. If any halves wobble, trim a small slice off the rounded bottom so they sit flat and stable in the dish.
- Mix and Drizzle Topping: In a small bowl, combine honey, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Drizzle this mixture evenly over each pear half. If desired, place a small piece of unsalted butter into the cavity of each pear for additional richness.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. This initial covered baking allows the pears to soften and the flavors to meld gently.
- Bake Uncovered and Add Nuts: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10–15 minutes until the pears are tender and caramelized. During the last 5 minutes, sprinkle the chopped nuts over the pears to toast them lightly and add a crunchy texture.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the baked pears to cool slightly before serving. For an extra indulgent touch, serve warm with a dollop of Greek yogurt, whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- You can use any variety of ripe pears, but Bosc or Anjou are recommended for their firmness and sweetness.
- Adjust the amount of honey to suit your preferred level of sweetness.
- Butter is optional but adds a lovely richness and helps create a luscious sauce.
- Chopped nuts can be omitted or substituted depending on dietary preferences or allergies.
- Serving with yogurt, whipped cream, or ice cream makes this dish perfect for dessert or a special breakfast treat.
