This Baked Pears recipe is the perfect winter dessert — simple, comforting and naturally sweet. Serve warm with whipped cream or your favourite ice cream for an elegant dessert, or spoon the pears over oatmeal or dairy-free yoghurt for a wholesome breakfast. The recipe is vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free, making it suitable for a range of diets.
Recipe Difficulty – Very Easy
Table of Contents
- Why this recipe works
- Ingredients to make baked pears
- Substitutions
- Variations
- How to make baked pears
- Leftovers
- Recipe FAQs
- Baked Pears Recipe
Why this recipe works
These baked spiced pears satisfy a sweet craving without relying on refined sugars. A warm blend of cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, combined with maple syrup, coconut sugar and fresh orange juice, creates a rich, cozy flavour that evokes apple pie while staying lighter and gluten-free. Pears soften as they bake, becoming tender and fragrant — a perfect match for creamy cashew or coconut whipped cream, or a scoop of plant-based ice cream.
The dish is versatile: serve it as an elegant dessert for guests or enjoy it as a nourishing breakfast topping. It’s quick to prepare and works well year-round, especially during pear season in autumn and winter.
Ingredients to make baked pears
- Pears: Three large pears are ideal for this recipe; scale up or down depending on servings.
- Coconut sugar: Used here to avoid refined sugar; brown sugar can be substituted if needed.
- Pure maple syrup: Use 100% maple syrup (not pancake syrup) for best flavour and to keep the recipe paleo-friendly.
- Orange: Fresh-squeezed orange juice brightens the dish and balances the sweetness.
- Coconut oil: Melted coconut oil adds a pleasant flavour, helps with browning and keeps the recipe vegan.
- Spices: Ground cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg provide warm, comforting notes.
See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full ingredient details.
Substitutions
- Sugar: Date sugar or agave syrup can replace coconut sugar.
- Fruit: If you prefer apples, this method works well with firmer varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
- Maple syrup: Pure honey can be used instead of maple syrup for non-vegan options.
Variations
- Sea salt: A small pinch added before or after baking enhances the flavours.
- Nuts: Top with toasted almond slices, pistachios, pecans or walnuts for crunch.
- Alcohol: A splash of bourbon, brandy or orange liqueur can be added for extra depth.
- Dried fruit: Raisins, cranberries or currants can be scattered into the baking dish for texture and sweetness.
How to make baked pears
Step 1: Wash the pears, slice them in half lengthwise and scoop out the cores with a spoon to create a small well.
Step 2: Arrange the pears in a baking dish with the cored side up. Mix coconut sugar, maple syrup, orange juice, melted coconut oil and spices, then brush the mixture evenly over the pear halves.
Step 3: Flip the pears so the cored side faces down, then bake at 180°C fan (about 356°F) for 25 minutes.
Step 4: Remove the dish from the oven, turn the pears so the cored side faces up again, baste them with the cooking juices, and return to the oven for another 10 minutes to caramelize and finish cooking.
Leftovers
These pears are best served fresh and warm, but leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently so they retain texture, or enjoy them chilled as a sweet snack.
Recipe FAQs
They’re wonderful year-round, but especially comforting in autumn and winter when pears are at their best. The warm spices make this a lovely choice for holiday dinners or cozy evenings.
Pears do soften more than apples, which is part of their appeal when baked. They break down to a tender, sauce-like texture that pairs beautifully with cream or ice cream.
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Baked Pears
Ingredients
- 3 large pears
- 3 tbsp coconut sugar, (or brown sugar)
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 orange (juice)
- 1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ginger
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
Instructions
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Slice the pears in half and scoop out the cores.
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Place the pears in a baking dish, cored side up. Combine coconut sugar, maple syrup, orange juice, melted coconut oil and spices, then brush the mixture evenly over the pears.
-
Turn the pears so the cored side faces down and bake at 180°C fan (about 356°F) for 25 minutes.
-
Remove from the oven, flip the pears so the cored side faces up again, baste with the pan juices and bake for another 10 minutes.
Notes
Substitutions & Variations: See the suggestions listed above for alternatives.
To Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To Freeze: Cool, freeze in a sealed container, then defrost and reheat until piping hot.
Tip 1: Allow the pears to marinate in the sauce when possible — the flavours deepen with time.
Tip 2: Melt coconut oil gently on the stove or in short bursts in the microwave.
Tip 3: These pears are lovely served on coconut yoghurt.
Nutrition
