Easy Cinnamon-Maple Baked Pears: A Cozy Fall Dessert

Apples get most of the attention in fall baking, but pears deserve a turn in the oven. Their delicate sweetness pairs beautifully with cinnamon and maple syrup, and they don’t need a pie crust, cake batter, or much fuss to become a lovely dessert.

These baked pears are especially good when you have a few ripe ones on the counter and want something warm without committing to an afternoon of baking. A handful of walnuts adds crunch, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream turns them into a dessert worthy of company.

Cinnamon-Maple Baked Pears Recipe

Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake time: Approximately 25–35 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 medium Bosc or Anjou pears, ripe but still firm
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, plus more for serving if desired
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts
• 2 tablespoons water
• Optional: Vanilla ice cream, Greek yogurt, or whipped cream for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease an 8-by-8-inch baking dish or a similar-sized oven-safe dish.
2. Prepare the pears. Wash and dry the pears, then slice them in half lengthwise. Use a teaspoon or melon baller to scoop out the seeds and tough core, leaving a small hollow in each half. Leave the skins on.
3. Make the maple mixture. In a small bowl, stir together the maple syrup, melted butter, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt.
4. Arrange and season. Place the pear halves cut-side up in the baking dish. Brush or spoon the maple mixture over the pears, allowing a little to collect in each hollow. Add the water to the bottom of the dish.
5. Bake. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for approximately 10–20 minutes, depending on the pears’ size and firmness.
6. Add the walnuts. During the last 5–8 minutes, sprinkle the chopped walnuts over and around the pears so they become lightly toasted without burning.
7. Check for tenderness. Insert a paring knife into the thickest part of a pear. It should slide in easily, but the fruit should still hold its shape.
8. Serve warm. Spoon a little of the maple-cinnamon liquid from the baking dish over each pear. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a spoonful of Greek yogurt, or a dollop of whipped cream.

Which Pears Are Best for Baking?

Bosc pears are an excellent choice for this recipe. Their relatively firm flesh makes them particularly useful for baking, and their brown, russeted skins look beautiful once cooked.

Anjou pears also work well, especially when they’re ripe but still have some firmness.

Very soft pears can become mushy in the oven, so save those for a pear sauce or smoothie.

Not sure whether your pears are ready? Our guide to ripening hard grocery-store pears explains how to tell when pears are ripe, why squeezing them isn’t the best test, and how to help firm pears ripen at home.

According to Oregon State University Extension, Bosc pears are suitable for baking, while Bartlett pears are versatile enough for eating fresh or cooking.

A Few Ways to Make Them Your Own

Add a little ginger. A pinch of ground ginger gives the cinnamon-maple mixture a pleasant warmth.

Try pecans instead. Chopped pecans make a delicious substitute for walnuts.

Brighten with lemon. Add a little freshly grated lemon zest to the maple mixture for a hint of citrus.

Make them for breakfast. Skip the ice cream and serve a warm pear with plain Greek yogurt and a spoonful of granola. It’s a lovely way to make an ordinary morning feel a little more special.

Can You Make Baked Pears Ahead of Time?

Yes. Bake the pears, allow them to cool, and refrigerate them in a covered container within two hours.

To serve, warm them gently in the oven in a covered baking dish until heated through. Add a small splash of water if the syrup has become too thick.

For the best texture, enjoy them freshly baked, when the pears are tender and the walnuts are still crisp.

And don’t overlook the juices left in the pan. That warm mixture of pear juice, butter, cinnamon, and maple syrup is especially good spooned over vanilla ice cream.