The Seasonal Kitchen: Cooking & Preserving Pears
In early autumn, apples get all the attention and sometimes pears get overlooked. But not by me. They’re one of my favorite fruits of all: sweet, juicy, and only perfect in that brief moment in between summer and fall. These recipes to use fresh pears celebrate that lovely in-between season we all love.
There are so many ways to put them to good use.
Pear Cobbler
Fall spices, sweet juicy pears, and the absolute BEST sugar cookie-inspired cobbler topping make this the perfect dessert for fall and winter.
Pear Butter
Perfectly spiced fresh pears cooked and milled into a smooth spread, this butter captures the essence of late summer. This recipe makes 3 half-pints.
Pear Crisp
This pear crisp is sweet, tangy, and perfectly crispy—just like fall. It’s made with butter and brown sugar for a deep caramelized flavor, and it’s even better when served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Pear Simple Syrup
This pear simple syrup is super tasty and only needs a few ingredients. It’s quick to make with very little effort. It’s perfect for adding a sweet touch to your cocktails and drinks!
Basic Canned Pears
This recipe will guide you through the process of waterbath canning pears. When done right, you’ll have jars of pears that you can enjoy year-round.
Pear Ice Cream
This homemade pear ice cream is fresh and delicious, with caramelized brown sugar and a hint of ginger. It’s full of cozy fall flavors that make it extra special.
Honey Pear Cake
This honey pear cake is easy to make and tastes amazing. You can enjoy it for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. It’s great on its own or served with whipped cream, custard, or ice cream!
Gingerbread Pear Upside Down Cake
This warm gingerbread cake is baked in a skillet over a layer of sweet caramelized pears. Once flipped, it looks beautiful and is fancy enough for a Thanksgiving dessert!
Rocket And Pear Salad
This fresh dish brings together sweet pears, peppery greens, and the nutty taste of parmesan and pine nuts. It’s all topped off with a simple balsamic vinaigrette for a burst of flavor.
Easy French Pear Cake
This French pear cake is so delicious. It’s soft, moist, and filled with juicy pears and a touch of vanilla. Plus, it stays fresh for days!
Cranberry Pear Sauce
This simple cranberry pear sauce is made with fresh or frozen berries, pears, juice, and a splash of Grand Marnier. You can make it ahead and freeze it for later!
Arugula Pear Salad
This arugula pear salad is already delicious on its own. But picture adding toasted hazelnuts, tangy goat cheese, and a rich brown butter vinaigrette. It’s a salad that’s truly out of this world!
Pear and Blue Cheese Salad
This pear and blue cheese salad perfectly mixes sweet and salty flavors. It has peppery arugula, juicy pears, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, and blue cheese, all drizzled with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette. It’s a great side dish for steak, chicken, or pork!
Cast Iron Skillet Pear Tart
This is simply amazing. It’s not too sweet, just simple and delicious. I wish I had made more because the kids devoured it, and I only got a couple of bites!
Pear Muffins
These fresh pear muffins are so tasty! They’re made with juicy pears and a hint of cardamom for extra flavor.
Spiced Pear Prosecco Mimosa
This Spiced Pear Prosecco Mimosa is a fun twist on the classic brunch drink. It mixes spiced syrup, pureed pears (or pear juice), and sweet, bubbly Italian Prosecco. Perfect for fall!
Sour Cream Pear Bread
This rich and moist Sour Cream Pear Bread is a great treat for fall. It’s filled with warm cinnamon, ginger, and chunks of sweet pears in every bite. So delicious and hard to resist!
Cider Poached Pears
Cider Poached Pears are a simple yet elegant dessert. They’re tender, with a slight tang from the cider and a touch of warm spices. Serve them hot or cold in their syrup, with or without vanilla ice cream.
Easy Pear Compote
This tasty pear compote is made with fresh pears, warm spices, and a touch of lemon. It’s perfect for breakfast, dessert, or even as a savory side!
Thanksgiving Fruit Salad
Add some color to your Thanksgiving table with this easy fruit salad! It’s packed with fresh seasonal fruits and a touch of honey for a bit of sweetness. It looks great and is super simple to make.
Easy Pear Crumble Bars
These delicious vegan bars have an oatmeal crust and are sweetened with maple syrup. They’re finished with a tasty, crumbly topping.
Pear Hand Pies
These pear hand pies are easy to make and filled with cozy flavors. Using store-bought pie crust, they’re packed with a homemade caramel pear filling spiced with cinnamon and ginger. Perfect for a quick treat!
Vanilla Pear Preserves
These homemade pear preserves are made from scratch using William pears. You’ll love the sweet aroma of vanilla in this easy-to-make jam!
Pear, Bacon & Blue Cheese Pizza
This savory pizza has a touch of sweetness from juicy pears and a layer of honey rosemary mascarpone spread.
Blue Cheese Scones with Pear and Walnut
These blue cheese scones are tender, flaky, and slightly sweet, with bursts of salty blue cheese flavor. They’re a great savory treat for brunch or a snack. The dough is quick to make and ready in under 30 minutes—perfect for a party!
Cranberry Pear Sauce
This easy cranberry pear sauce, with a hint of cinnamon, is perfect for your holiday table. It’s quick to make with simple ingredients and will likely become a holiday favorite!
Pear Chips
These homemade pear chips are a simple, healthy snack – great for camping or hiking. You can make them ahead of time, and they don’t need to be kept cool—pack and go!
Spiced Pear Cider
Pear cider is a great seasonal alternative to apple cider, with a milder flavor and lots of warming spices. This version uses some juice to make it quicker to prepare.
Upside Down Plum and Pear Cake
This upside-down plum and pear cake has a caramelized topping, a moist crumb, and rum-soaked dried fruit for extra flavor. It takes a few extra steps, but it’s totally worth it! It’s like a fruitcake but much lighter and packed with fresh fruit.
Varieties to Know
If you’re baking or canning, Bosc pears are best. They hold their shape very well. They get even sweeter and more honeyed when you cook them.
Bartlett is probably what you picture when someone says “pear.” They start out green and slowly turn yellow as they ripen (though you can find red ones too). They’re juicy and sweet enough to eat straight up, but they also make the best pear butter you’ll ever taste.
Anjou pears are my favorite for salads and cheese plates. They ripen slowly, which is actually a good thing – you can slice them up for a party and they won’t turn brown right away. They come in green or red.
If you really want to treat yourself, look for Comice pears. They’re not called butter pears for nothing – they’re incredibly smooth and creamy. (And expensive!)
Whatever kind you get ahold of, I hope this has given you some ideas and that the next time you find yourself with a bunch of ripe pears, you’ll know exactly what to make.
By Katie Shaw
Katie shares simple, reliable recipes from her home in Virginia, where she lives with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens.