Go Back
4.48 from 89 votes
Two poached pears, one with creme anglaise.
Print Recipe
The Most Elegant Poached Pears Recipe
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 

The best way to eat a pear is to poach it — our elegant Poached Pears recipe takes less than 30 minutes and will wow anyone lucky enough to get a bite.

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 pears
Author: Gemma Stafford
Ingredients
  • 2 quarts (64 fl oz/1800 ml) water
  • 2 ½ cups (20 oz/565 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 medium orange, sliced
  • 6 large pears, very firm
Instructions

  1. Combine the water, sugar, cinnamon sticks and orange slices in an 8-quart lidded stockpot over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved.

  2. While the water is heating, peel the pears: for each pear, first slice the bottom so that it can stand upright. Then peel away all of the skin but leave the stem (for looks).

  3. Add the pears to the pot, then cut a circle of parchment paper large enough to fit in the pot on top of the pears. Cut a small circle in the middle for venting and place it on top of the pears in the water.

  4. Keep water at a very gentle simmer and cook until the pears can be easily pierced through with a knife, about 20 minutes (more or less, depending on the size, variety, and firmness of the pears).

  5. Let pears cool in their liquid, then serve warm or at room temperature with vanilla ice cream, vanilla crème anglaise, salted caramel sauce or however you wish!

  6. Store leftover pears in their liquid in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Recipe Notes
  • You can replace half of the water with white wine.
  • Instead of an orange, use lemon for a more tangy taste.
  • Try different additions, like warm spices such as fresh ginger, whole cloves, star anise, allspice, or vanilla bean.
  • Use a vegetable peeler to create thin strips of orange peel or lemon zest, then arrange them on top or around the poached pears. For extra flavor, squeeze a bit of fresh citrus juice over them.
  • This is perfect to serve for dessert after a special occasion dinner. They are beautiful, elegant, not too heavy after a big meal and can be made in advance!
  • Be sure to use very firm pears and simmer very gently or they may get too mushy.
  • This poached pears recipe can be used to make my Pear Frangipane Tart or Pear and Chocolate Frangipane Tart.