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4.9 from 48 votes

Baked Pears (No Added Sugar)

Baked pears are an elegant dessert that's easy enough to make for family dinners. This recipe has no added sugar, and you're not going to miss it!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 78 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 4 large pears 2 pounds total weight, firm; don’t use ripe pears
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted, plus 1 teaspoon for the pan
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly butter the bottom of a 9 X 13 baking dish (or a smaller dish if scaling the recipe down).
  2. Peel the pears, halve, and core them. You can core them with a melon baller, a metal measuring spoon, or - as I usually do - a paring knife. I like to leave the stems on as they make for a pretty presentation, but you can cut them off if you wish. You can also shave a thin slice off the bottom of each pear half, enabling them to stay upright in the baking dish.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the butter, vanilla, and cinnamon. Brush the pears with the mixture on both sides.
  4. Arrange the pears in the prepared baking dish, cut side down. Bake them for 30 minutes, flip, and continue baking until fork-tender, for about 30 more minutes. Baste them every 15 minutes with the pan juices.
  5. Brush the pears one last time with the pan juices. Serve warm.

Notes

  • While I generally recommend peeling the pears, it's fine to make this recipe with unpeeled pears if you wish. You'll simply need to serve them with a knife and a fork since the peel won't soften as much as the flesh.
  • Bosc and Anjou pears are best at holding their shape and texture when cooked, although Bartletts should work, too, if that's all you can get. On the other hand, Comice pears are too tender and juicy and might fall apart when cooked. Regardless of the variety of pears you use, it's best to use slightly underripe ones. You definitely shouldn't use overripe ones.
  • You can bake the pears ahead of time and chill them in the fridge (they can be kept in an airtight container for up to four days). You can then serve them cold, or gently reheat them in the microwave before serving them.
  • This recipe scales easily. As you can see in the photos and videos, I often make just one pear, and my husband and I share it. 

Nutrition Information

Serving 0.5pear Calories 78kcal (4%) Carbohydrates 13g (4%) Protein 0.5g (1%) Fat 3g (5%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Sodium 0.5mg (0%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 10g (20%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 78

% Daily Value*

Serving 0.5pear
Calories 78kcal 4%
Carbohydrates 13g 4%
Protein 0.5g 1%
Fat 3g 5%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Sodium 0.5mg 0%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 10g 20%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.