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Maple Syrup Cinnamon Baked Pears

GF
RECIPE
5 from 1 review

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Snuggle up with these maple syrup cinnamon baked pears dessert!  This is an easy oven-baked fruit recipe featuring seasonal sweet pears, cozy winter spices, maple syrup, and toasted pecans.  Top the baked pears with whipped coconut cream for a festive and beautiful dessert.   

Now that it is winter fruit season, I love highlighting the exciting ways the delicious fruit can be transformed into a dessert.  Like my easy hasselback apples baked dessert, apple biscoff crips for two, winter citrus and cream oatmeal tart, and the gluten free pear galette.

And these maple cinnamon baked pears truly demonstrate just how easy it is to transform a sweet and crisp fruit into a buttery caramelized dessert!  Add a dollop (or two!) of whipped vanilla coconut cream, snuggle up under a cozy blanket, and enjoy this (gluten free!) treat that will give you all the winter vibes!

Maple Syrup Cinnamon Baked Pears Highlights

  • This may be the easiest dessert recipe on the blog!
  • Pear is the star of the show!  The pears bake up buttery and sweet while still having a little firm bite.
  • Maple syrup sweetens the pears and also turns into a caramel sauce as it bakes.  
  • The dessert is gluten free and refined sugar free.  Win-win!
  • It’s easy to customize the spices and put your spin on the pears.
  • The dessert is also on the healthier side – so go ahead and eat a whole pear!
Maple and cinnamon covered winter fruit in a white casserole dish.

Easy Ingredients

  • Pears – I prefer Bosc pears because they are sweet and firm.  You can also use Anjou or Bartlett pears.
  • Lemon Juice – For a little tartness to balance all of the sweetness. 
  • Maple Syrup – Be sure to use pure maple syrup and not pancake syrup.  The best part about pure maple syrup – it will turn to caramel sauce as it bakes!
  • Butter – The butter adds richness to the dessert and combines with the maple syrup for an indulgent caramel. 
  • Cinnamon – A beautiful spice to pair harmoniously with the other flavors.
  • Ginger & Cardamom – These spices are optional, but I highly recommend using them for layers of flavor.
  • Pecans – The pecans add texture to the baked pears and a buttery bite.

How To Make Baked Pears

Halved pears placed in casserole dish ready to be baked.
  1. Cut the pears in half and remove the seeds. The tip of a vegetable peeler is great for this!
  2. Brush the pears with lemon juice – this will keep them vibrant and add a little contrast of flavor when baked.
  3. Drizzle the pears evenly with maple syrup, then sprinkle the spices over the top.
  4. Add the butter cubes. Butter will heat with the maple syrup and create a caramel that you can spoon over the top at the end!
Halved pears face down in a baking dish ready to be baked.
  1. Flip the pears over before baking. This seems counterintuitive since we just added all of the ingredients on top, but there is a reason for this. As the pears first start to bake, the flesh will absorb all of those yummy ingredients.
  2. Bake the pears for 20 minutes, then remove them from the oven.
Freshly baked pears topped with chopped pecans in a casserole dish set on a table.
  1. Flip the pears over again and add the pecans. We add the pecans later in the bake because we don’t want them to burn!
  2. Bake for another 10 minutes to brown the pecans and ensure the pears are fork-tender. The pears are best enjoyed slightly warm with a drizzle of the caramel sauce and a dollop of ice cream or whipped cream!
Baked pears in a serving bowl with a dollop of whipped cream set on a table.

Baking Tips

  • Use the right size baking dish – It’s like the goldilocks of baking – so the pears don’t get crowded, and to keep them snug so the caramel, butter, and spices have nowhere to go!
  • Core the pears – Nobody wants to bite down on seeds.
  • Leave the stems on – It just makes the dessert look pretty.
  • Don’t fret – This dessert is incredibly easy and hard to mess up.
  • Enjoy the pears warm – There is nothing better than gooey caramel sauce covering a sweet fruit.
  • Add some whipped cream or ice cream – Yes, the pears are delicious on their own.  But a little creamy goodness won’t hurt!
Caramelized baked fruit arranged on a small plate with a bowl of whipped cream.

FAQ

What is the best pear to bake with?

I recommend a firm pear like Bosc, Anjou, or Bartlett. Just be sure the pears aren’t too squishy when you select them.

Should I peel the skin off the pears before baking them?

This is up to you. The skin will soften as it bakes and makes for a pretty presentation. My only recommendation is to buy organic pears if you leave the skin on.

Can I substitute a different sweetener for the maple syrup?

You can. Brown sugar would be my recommendation.

Why do you flip the pears over so many times (twice)?

To make sure each side has a chance to caramelize.

Recipe

Maple Syrup Cinnamon Baked Pears

GF
5 from 1 review
Snuggle up with this maple syrup cinnamon baked pears dessert made with sweet pears, cozy spices, maple syrup, and toasted pecans.  Top the baked pears with whipped coconut cream for an easy and beautiful winter dessert.   
Servings4 Servings
Prep15 minutes
Cook30 minutes
Total45 minutes

EQUIPMENT

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 medium pears (I recommend organic Bosc or Anjou)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup (or brown sugar)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes
  • 3 tablespoons pecans, chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat oven to 375F degrees and adjust the oven rack to the middle position
  • Cut the pears in half and remove the cores with a small spoon. Note – It is your preference if you leave the skin on or peel off before halving. I recommend organic pears if leaving the skin on.
    2 medium pears
  • Place the pears cut side up in the baking dish. Brush with the lemon juice. Pour the maple syrup evenly over the pears, then sprinkle with the ground spices and butter cubes. Then, flip the pears cut side down for baking.
    1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes
  • Bake the pears for 20 minutes. Then carefully remove from the oven, flip the pears over, sprinkle the chopped pecans over the pears, and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the pears are fork tender.
    3 tablespoons pecans, chopped
  • The pears can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature. When ready to serve, spoon the excess maple syrup caramel sauce over the pears, dollop with whipped cream and Enjoy!
I’d love to hear from you!If you try the recipe, please let me know! Leaving a comment + star encourages others to try it, and the support helps me continue to provide FREE recipes. Thank you!

RECIPE NOTES

  • Serving Size – This recipe is easily doubled.
  • Pears – I recommend firm pears like Bosc, Anjou or Bartlett.
  • Peeling the Pears – This is up to you.  I left the skin on for a pretty presentation.  I recommend organic pears if leaving the skin on.
  • Pear Stems – There is no functional reason to leave the stems on (as pictured), they just look pretty!
  • Baking Dish – Any medium size baking dish will work.  I use this CorningWare casserole dish.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Author: Erin Cernich

NUTRITION ESTIMATES

Calories: 209kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 188mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 202IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Nutrition information is calculated by a third-party and should only be considered an estimate and not a guarantee.

about the author ...

I'm Erin and I'm all about desserts - and a little bit of butter!

I've tested, written, and photographed hundreds of recipes on my website. Here you'll find the tastiest small batch desserts - all homemade, all simple, and all for you! Click here to learn more about me!

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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