Poached Pears

This Poached Pears recipe is a sophisticated and elegant dessert that is perfect for special occasions or just a cozy night in. The pears are poached in a spiced syrup until they are soft and tender, then topped with a rich and creamy chocolate sauce. A simple yet delectable recipe that packs a lot of flavor and is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

We love fruit desserts! Check out these favorites: Apple Crumble, Blueberry Cobbler and this amazing Strawberry Shortcake Recipe!

Poached Pears Recipe

This recipe for poached pears is the perfect dessert for any occasion. The soft and juicy pears are simmered in a mixture of sugar, cinnamon, and star anise, then served with a rich and indulgent chocolate sauce. A delicious and elegant dessert that is sure to impress your guests and become a new family favorite!

This recipe is incredibly simple and I’ve included a quick and easy chocolate sauce for you to serve alongside the pears. You could also serve them with caramel sauce, hot fudge sauce or even just a lovely homemade whipped cream.

What Type Of Pears Should I Use?

I used Bosc pears because they have a slightly crisp texture and hold up beautifully during cooking which makes them a great choice for poaching. Bartletts and Anjou pears are also great options.

Look for pears that are slightly firm to the touch and give slightly when you press them with your thumb. You can also check for ripeness by gently twisting the stem. If it comes off easily, the pear is likely ready to be used. The poaching time may differ depending on how ripe your pears are.

Why You’ll Love This Poached Pear Recipe

• Sophisticated and elegant dessert. Perfect for special occasions, holidays or just a cozy night in.
• Amazing flavor. The pears are simmered in a syrup of sugar, cinnamon, and star anise, which gives them a delightful flavor and texture.
• Creamy, dreamy chocolate sauce. The chocolate sauce is rich, creamy, and oh-so-decadent. It’s made with cocoa powder, sugar, water, butter, and semi-sweet chocolate, and it’s sure to satisfy any chocolate craving.
• Deceptively simple. While elegant and impressive, this recipe is really quite simple to make, with just a few ingredients and minimal prep time. Perfect when you want to whip up a delicious dessert without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

This recipe for Poached Pears is simple and elegant and the perfect dessert for holidays and special occasions. I’ve included a chocolate sauce in the recipe card below that is delicious served alongside these pears. As always, you can find the full printable recipe with complete instructions in the recipe card at the end of this post. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need…

• pears – I used Bosc pears but Bartlett or Anjou pears will also work. Look for pears that are firm to the touch and give slightly when you press them with your thumb.
• granulated sugar – Sweetens the poaching liquid and adds sweetness to the pears.
• spices – I love the combination of cinnamon sticks and star anise. Consider adding in a vanilla bean or cardamom.
• water or wine – You can use just water or water plus alcohol. Some popular alcohols to add include red wine, port wine, or brandy. Simply replace some or all of the water in the poaching syrup with your preferred alcohol.

How To Make Poached Pears

Poach the Pears

1. Peel the skin from the pears using a sharp paring knife or vegetable peeler.
2. Remove the cores from the pears using a melon baller or parking knife.
3. Add the sugar, cinnamon and star anise to a saucepan set over a medium heat.
4. Pour in the water (or wine or other alcohol if using) and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
5. Remove from the heat and carefully add the pears to the pan.
6. Return to medium-low heat, cover and simmer gently for 8 minutes or until the pears are tender when pierced with a knife.
7. Remove from heat and leave the pears in the syrup to cool slightly while you make the chocolate sauce.

Prepare the Chocolate Sauce

1. Place sugar, cocoa powder and water into a small saucepan over medium heat.
2. Bring to a boil whisking vigorously.
3. Remove from heat and whisk in the butter and semi sweet chocolate until smooth.

To Serve

1. Carefully remove the pears from the pan and place on a serving plate.
2. Top with chocolate sauce and serve immediately while still warm.

Storage Information

To store the poached pears, transfer them to an airtight container and cover with the poaching syrup. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

To store the chocolate sauce, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. The sauce may harden when chilled, so you may need to reheat it gently in the microwave or on the stove before serving.

It’s best to store the poached pears and chocolate sauce separately, as the pears will continue to absorb the syrup as they sit and the chocolate sauce may harden when chilled.

I don’t recommend freezing the pears because when thawed, they will be quite mushy.

Variations To Try

Here are a few variations you can try with this poached pear recipe:

1. Add some spices to the syrup for a different flavor profile. Some options could be cloves, allspice, or cardamom.
2. Swap out the chocolate sauce for a different topping. Some options could be caramel sauce, hot fudge sauce or even just a lovely homemade whipped cream.
3. Serve the pears with ice cream or yogurt for an irresistible dessert.
4. Add some chopped nuts or chocolate shavings as a garnish for added texture and flavor.

Poached Pears FAQs

Trish’s Tips and Tricks

Here are a few tips for making this poached pear recipe the best it can be:

1. Make sure to use ripe, but firm pears for this recipe. If the pears are too ripe, they may fall apart during the poaching process. You want to cook the pears until they are just tender. Overcooking the pears can cause them to become mushy.
2. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin from the pears. This will give the pears a smooth, elegant appearance.
3. Use a melon baller or spoon to remove the cores from the pears. This will make it easier to fill the pears with the chocolate sauce or any other toppings you choose.
4. Make sure the poaching liquid covers the pears completely. If the pears are not fully submerged, they may not cook evenly.
5. Be sure to whisk the chocolate sauce vigorously while it is cooking to keep it from burning. Make the sauce extra decadent by whisking in a few tablespoons of heavy cream.
6. Let the pears cool in the syrup while preparing the chocolate sauce. This will help them absorb more of the syrup and give them a more intense flavor.

More Fruit Dessert Recipes You’re Sure To Love

1. Grape Salad
2. No Bake Lemon Pie
3. Banana Pudding
4. Coconut Cream Pie
5. Key Lime Pie

How To Make Poached Pears