About the Recipe
Pears in wine is one of those effortlessly elegant desserts that feels special without being fussy. Simple ingredients come together as ripe pears slowly simmer in wine with warm spices, transforming into a beautifully fragrant, jewel-toned treat. Whether served at a cozy dinner party or as a quiet indulgence at home, this classic dessert offers a perfect balance of sweetness and depth, with a silky texture that feels both comforting and refined.
Ingredients
4 ripe but firm pears (Bosc or Anjou work well)
2 cups red wine (or white wine for a lighter flavor)
½ cup sugar or honey
1 cup orange juice
1 cinnamon stick
2–3 whole cloves (optional)
1 strip orange or lemon peel
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact if desired. Trim the bottoms slightly so they can stand upright.
In a medium saucepan, combine the wine, sugar, water, cinnamon stick, cloves, and citrus peel. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
Add the pears, laying them on their sides if needed to keep them mostly submerged. Make sure they are covered. If they aren't, add more wine or juice until they are covered.
Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 25–35 minutes, turning the pears occasionally, until they are tender when pierced with a knife.
Remove the pears from the saucepan and set aside.
Increase the heat and simmer the poaching liquid for 10–15 minutes, until reduced to a glossy syrup. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Serve the pears warm or chilled, spooning the wine syrup over the top.
Notes
Must be 21 years or older to purchase or consume alcohol. Please drink responsibly.
Serve with whipped cream, mascarpone, vanilla ice cream, or Greek yogurt.
For extra flavor, add star anise or a splash of brandy to the poaching liquid.
Pears can be made a day ahead and stored in the syrup in the refrigerator.
Non-alcoholic option
If you do not cook with alcohol, the easiest swap here is a non-alcoholic wine. Most well-stocked grocery stores will have a few alcohol-free wine options available.
You can also use fruit juice as the poaching liquid instead of wine. Mix 2 cups sweet fruit juice (like apple or grape) with 5 to 6 tablespoons of lemon juice to add some tang. Or just use a tart juice like cranberry juice.