Forget apple and pumpkin, pear desserts are what you should enjoy this fall season! From traditional crisps and pies to unique ice creams and cookies, this list of 25+ dessert recipes will have you filling your cart with every pear variety!
I’ve always wondered why it seems like apples and pumpkins rule the world of fall desserts. Pears are just as tasty, if not better! Granted, they don’t have pie spices named after them like apple and pumpkin, but that just gives them more of an air of mystery, right?
If you aren’t sure about using pears in desserts, I would recommend taking your favorite apple dessert recipe and using pears in it instead. I am sure you will be convinced!
What type of pear should you use in a dessert recipe?
Several varieties of pears work well in dessert recipes, each offering a unique flavor, texture, and level of sweetness. Here are some things to keep in mind before choosing a pear for your dessert:
Do you need the pear to keep its shape?
Bartlett, Anjou, and Bosc pears are the easiest to find in grocery stores. Bonus? They all will keep their shape well so they are great for recipes where you are keeping the pear whole, or cut in half like baking, roasting, and poaching. Note: if the pear is too ripe, it will be less likely to keep its shape.
Are your pears really ripe?
You will want to use ripe (or even over ripe) pears in dessert recipes with a pear sauce or pureed pears. They are also great in ice cream, sorbet, and popsicles.
What flavors will work best in your pear dessert?
Each variety has a slightly different flavor. When in doubt, just pick the type of pear you enjoy eating on its own. Here are the flavors of a few pear varieties:
- Bartlett pears are juicy and sweet, making them a good choice for most desserts.
- Both red and green Anjou pears have a sweet and slightly citrusy taste.
- Bosc pears have a sweet and slightly spicy flavor that pairs well with cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Comice pears are really juicy and have a sweet, buttery flavor that will do well in fruit salads and tarts.
- Concorde pears have a sweet, vanilla-like flavor that works well in pies and crisps.
Oh, and don’t be afraid to experiment with using two types of pears in a recipe. Using a pair of pears can lead to some amazing and unique dessert recipes!
Are you ready to sink your teeth into some delicious pear desserts? Scroll down to see the recipes I’ve found for you. Maybe you’ll be convinced that “pear pie spice” should be up there with apple and pumpkin!
Pear Desserts
From traditional crisps to unique ice cream and cookies, these pear desserts will make you forget all about apples and pumpkins this fall!
Caramel Pear Hand Pies
These caramel pear hand pies, brushed with cream and baked to golden perfection, feature a yummy filling of sliced pears with a homemade salted caramel sauce.
Pear Custard Pie
Grab your blender for this easy custard poured over sliced pears. A delicious fruit pie with no crust!
Puff Pastry-Wrapped Pears
Topped with a bittersweet chocolate espresso sauce, these puff pastry-wrapped pears are impressive and yet surprisingly easy to make. Gotta love frozen puff pastry!
Cinnamon Walnut Pear Crisp
Monique created this pear crisp recipe to have less butter and just a touch of maple syrup compared to a traditional crisp. It is still juicy and sweet, and is perfect with the crunchy oat & walnut crumble topping!
Caramelized Pistachio Pear Cake
This layered pear cake makes a beautiful centerpiece for any fall gathering you have in your home. Plus, the caramelized pears and chopped pistachios create a sweet and crunchy mix you are going to love!
Pear Mousse Cheesecake Bars
A three-layer dessert bar featuring a graham cracker crust, cheesecake, and a pear mousse. Top it with a slice of pear and a sprinkle of cinnamon, and you have an impressive looking fall treat!
Pear Cobbler
This tender pear cobbler has a sweet, delicately spiced filling and a cake-like topping that’s crisp on the exterior but soft underneath. Try serving this pear cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra decadence!
Chocolate Pear Cookies
If you like a thick and chewy cookie, you are going to love these chocolate pear cookies! Best part(s)? No need for a mixer, and you don't have to wait for the dough to chill.
Panna Cotta with Spiced Pear Purée
Enjoy panna cotta, a smooth Italian custard-like dessert, topped with a cinnamon-spiced pear puree. A delicious fall dessert that can be easily adapted for any time of year!
Pear Dulce De Leche Cupcakes
I'm drooling just thinking about how to describe these cupcakes! Each light pear cupcake has a dulce de leche core and is capped off with a not too sweet dulce de leche Swiss meringue buttercream.
Easy Salted Caramel Pear Trifle
Layers of pound cake, sliced pears, a caramel drizzle and caramel-flavored whipped cream. Top it off with some crushed hazelnuts. The key to this recipe is the pears poached in water with cinnamon, lemon peel and vanilla bean!
Baked Pears
You will not only enjoy eating this dessert, but also the smell it creates in your kitchen. You won't believe that it is a healthier dessert with no added sugar!
Pear Upside-Down Cake
This cake is beautiful, and delicious—your guests will definitely be impressed! It features a buttery cake, sliced pears and drizzled caramel.
Pear Ice Cream
Fruit ice cream shouldn't be limited to strawberry or peach; try this recipe and you will be convinced! Laura gives you an eggless ice cream recipe that has both pureed pears and candied pears. Plus she includes an option of adding blue cheese for the adventurous ice cream lovers.
Pear & Walnut Frangipani Tart
A pastry crust with walnut filling and sliced pears. Sarah switched up the traditional French frangipani tart by using walnuts instead of almonds. Yum!
Poached Pears
Learn how to make quick and easy poached pears with no alcohol and then enjoy them with a chocolate orange chia pudding!
Sugared Pear Galette Pie
What is a galette? It is kind of like a pie without all of the fuss. No pie dish needed, and it is supposed to look imperfect. Um, this is right up my alley! You make a crust and fold it partway over a pear filling. I love it!
Browned Butter Spiced Pear Bundt Cake
A subtly sweet and spongy cake filled with fall spices and diced pears. You'll top it all off with an apple cider glaze!
Cinnamon Pear Crumble
A delicious and easy cinnamon pear crumble featuring warm pears and a buttery sweet crumb topping! Perfect for a cool fall evening.
Pear Fritters
Samantha's husband wanted apple fritters and she decided to make a few tweaks—one of which was swapping the apples with pears. After he declared them amazing she let him in on the secret! You'll rave about them too.
Pear Cranberry Crisp
This fruit crisp features a combination of pears and cranberries and is topped with a gluten-free walnut, oat, and almond meal topping. It is perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Pear Strudel
Try pears in place of apples in your strudel. This recipe also features a vanilla glaze topping!
Honey Roasted Pears
Looking for a warm dessert for a chilly evening? This is it! Just 5 minutes of prep and they can roast while you eat dinner.
Chocolate Dipped Pear Popsicles
These delicious pear popsicles include a magic shell topping. What an unusual and amazing combination!
Brown Butter Pear Bars
You are going to love the pairing of brown butter and pears in this dessert bar recipe. A brown butter pear filling on a cinnamon graham crust—delicious!
Vanilla Pear Dutch Baby
A traditional Dutch Baby is similar to a pancake and is a breakfast recipe. This version can be either a breakfast or a delicious dessert.
Pear Oatmeal Crumb Bars
These fruit crumb bars are going to be your new favorite treat (without too much guilt)! A shortbread crust topped with a pear filling and then a shortbread crumble. You can top it off with an optional powdered sugar glaze.
What did you think of these pear desserts? Will you be trying some of them? Let me know in the comments below and then check out these other delicious fruit dessert recipes: