These Poached Pears in Apple Cider, Honey, and White Wine are so elegant yet easy to make. Pears are poached in flavorful liquid with warm spices to make them tender and perfect for the holiday season.
This recipe is sponsored by Heinen’s. I truly appreciate the support that makes Yoko’s kitchen possible.
This luxurious dessert requires no baking or cooking skills. With just a handful of ingredients, let pears in peak season simmer in a poaching liquid and you’ll get this elegant dessert. Serve with scoops of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
You can make a big batch to serve a large crowd for your next Holiday dinner party.
If you’re looking for holiday dessert, also try Chocolate Salami, White Chocolate Raspberry Truffles and Marshmallow Flower Cookies.
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Ingredients
- Pears – use just ripe pears that are either firm or soft but not mushy. I use the Bartlett or Bosc pears!
- Apple Cider – sweet and crisp apple cider is a perfect base for the poaching liquid. I love picking one up from a local apple farm!
- White Wine – white wine adds depth to the taste.
- Honey – adds wholesome sweetness. You can also use maple syrup.
- Lemon Zest, Cinnamon Sticks, Star Anise, and Vanilla Extract – add a festive flavor. These spices create an irresistible aroma in the kitchen you love during the holiday season.
- Vanilla Ice Cream – for serving.
Instructions
Let’s start by preparing the pears. Use a peeler to peel them, I like to leave the stems on. Slice off the bottom so that they stand upright when served. Remove any core if it sticks out of the bottom.
Next, choose a pot to use in this recipe wisely! Use the one with just enough space for the pears if possible. Mine was a bit too big. Use a smaller pot so that the pears are nicely submerged in the poaching liquid.
So in your chosen pot, combine apple cider, white wine, honey, lemon zest, cinnamon sticks, and star anise. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Then add peeled pears into the poaching liquid. Cut parchment paper to the pot-size round and cover the pot with it.
Simmer, turning pears occasionally, until pears are tender, for about 30-40 minutes. Check the doness with a knife or fork. Remove pears from the pot.
Then reduce the poaching liquid a little bit. Simmer the remaining poaching liquid to reduce slightly, for about 15 minutes. Then discard lemon zest, cinnamon sticks, and star anise. Let cool.
Serve pears on serving plates with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Pour the reduced poaching liquid and enjoy!
Serving Suggestion
- Vanilla Ice Cream – Scoop the ice cream with juicy and tender peached pears for a luxurious bite.
- Yogurt – If I got some leftover poached pears, I like to dice them and top off my breakfast yogurt bowl.
- Cheese – Top cheese and cracker with a sliced poached pear.
- Salad – Elevate your holiday salad with poached pears.
Related
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Easy Poached Pears in Apple Cider, Honey, and White Wine
Ingredients
- 4 Bartlett or Bosc pears
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1 cup white wine
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 2 strips lemon zest
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Vanilla ice cream for serving
Instructions
- Peel the pears and slice off the bottom to let them stand upright.
- In a pot, combine apple cider, white wine, honey, lemon zest, cinnamon sticks, and star anise. Bring to a boil.
- Add pears into the poaching liquid and cover with parchment paper. Simmer, turning pears occasionally, until pears are tender, for about 30-40 minutes. Remove pears from the pot.
- Simmer the poaching liquid to reduce slightly, for about 15 minutes. Then discard lemon zest, cinnamon sticks, and star anise. Let cool.
- Serve pears on serving plates with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Pour the reduced poaching liquid.
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