Description
These Classic Cinnamon Honey Baked Pears offer a warm, comforting dessert featuring ripe pears baked with a fragrant mixture of honey, cinnamon, vanilla, and lemon juice. Enhanced with optional walnuts and dried cranberries, this easy-to-make treat is perfect served warm alongside vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a delightful finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 ripe pears, preferably Bosc or Anjou
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Optional Toppings
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the pears evenly.
- Prepare Pears: Wash the pears thoroughly, then slice them in half lengthwise. Use a spoon or melon baller to carefully remove the core and seeds from each half.
- Mix Flavoring: In a small bowl, combine honey, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended.
- Arrange Pears: Place the pear halves cut-side up in a baking dish. If using, sprinkle the chopped walnuts and dried cranberries or raisins evenly over the pears.
- Apply Honey Mixture: Drizzle the honey cinnamon mixture evenly over the cut surfaces of each pear half, making sure they are well coated to absorb the flavors while baking.
- Cover Dish: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture and allow the pears to cook tenderly without drying out.
- Bake Pears: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the pears are tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.
- Caramelize Tops: Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the tops to caramelize slightly, adding a golden finish.
- Serve: Remove the baked pears from the oven and let them cool slightly. Serve warm, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Notes
- Choose ripe but firm pears like Bosc or Anjou for the best texture after baking.
- Covering the dish helps to retain moisture and cook pears evenly.
- Removing the foil near the end allows caramelization without drying the fruit.
- Optional nuts and dried fruits add texture and flavor contrast.
- Serving warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream adds creaminess and balances the warm spices.
