Pear-ed Together: 11 Perfect Ways to Bake with Pears

This crostata’s rustic buttery crust is infused with the earthy richness of ground walnuts, perfectly complementing the filling of salty pancetta, luscious Bosc pears, and creamy blue cheese—a combination that is pure magic. Once baked to glorious golden perfection, it’s crowned with peppery arugula, crunchy walnuts, and a drizzle of tangy balsamic glaze, adding the perfect finishing touch.

We credit the classic French dessert of poires belle Hélène, spiced poached pears with chocolate sauce, as the flavor inspiration for these creamy bars. Indulge in the perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors of luscious cheesecake kissed with cozy notes of cinnamon and vanilla bean nestled atop roasted Bartlett pears on a chocolate cookie crust. Adorn the top with whipped cream and paper-thin slices of candied pears for an extra layer of elegance to your dessert.

Packed with the warm, enchanting flavors of crystallized ginger mingling with the delicate sweetness of ripe Anjou pears, this cake is a delight for the senses. But here’s the magic ingredient: sour cream! It brings a creamy richness to the batter, resulting in a moist and tender crumb that’s simply divine. Don’t skip soaking the pear slices in lemon water before adding them to the batter; this simple step not only adds brightness to the pears but also prevents them from browning.

With a mesmerizing yet easy-to-execute shape, these Pear Cardamom Buns are spiced with bold, complex cardamom—the ideal companion for the subtly flavored pear. Slathered in every twist and curve of the golden dough, the homemade Pear Butter is a great way to make use of overripe pears and melts in your mouth with every bite. 

Roasted beets deliver subtle, earthy tones that complement the sweet pears and nutty crumb topping in this Blushing Pear Pie.

We’re taking poached pears to a whole new level with these Champagne-Poached Pear Muffins. Studded with Bosc and Anjou pears, these tender muffins feature the luxurious pairing of crisp Champagne and rich vanilla. Vanilla beans heighten the Champagne-based poaching liquid with their complex notes, and the muffin batter itself is infused with vanilla bean paste and vanilla extract for a sweet and smooth flavor. Piled in a basket on the breakfast table or served with afternoon coffee, these Champagne-Poached Pear Muffins are sure to be a new fall favorite.

All you need is a single pear to create the beautiful fanned design on top of this stunning Pear-Almond Olive Oil Cake, and it’s so easy to do. You’ll love the extra punch of almond flavor from the almond flour and sliced almonds on top.

Almond crust, almond cream, and a generous serving of red wine? Yes, please. With a centerpiece of wine-infused pears, this tart is almost too gorgeous to eat. Almost. 

Dark chocolate takes this time-honored clafoutis to a new level of decadence. With their slender necks and firm skins, Bosc pears have an elegant appearance and do not soften too much during poaching. We poach the pears in spices and Chablis, a dry white burgundy wine from Chablis in eastern France.

Rustically simple, but delightfully rich and tender, this Pear & Apple Loaf is everything we love about fall swirled into a single loaf. Buttery soft brioche-style dough is cut into pieces and tossed with sweetly spiced bits of Honeycrisp apple and Bosc pear.

A hint of cardamom lends a little heat to this rich buttermilk batter swirled with a fragrant pear spread. Unlike jam, fruit spreads don’t have any added sugar, so they lend a more natural, delicate sweetness to baked goods. If you like your cake extra sweet, though, jam works just as well.