These poached pears are an easy, elegant dessert for any occasion. They’re simmered in a sweet Amaretto syrup and served with whipped cream or mascarpone cheese. With just three ingredients, they’re simple to make and ready in 30 minutes!
Poached pears are one of those desserts that feel effortlessly elegant, yet they’re surprisingly easy to make. I love serving them for special occasions, but they’re just as nice as a midweek treat when I’m craving something simple and refined.
These Amaretto-poached pears are juicy and delicately flavored with sweet almond notes from the liqueur. I simmer winter pears—usually Bosc or Anjou, since they hold their shape beautifully—in Amaretto and light brown sugar until they’re tender and infused with flavor. There’s no fancy equipment or technique involved, and it’s a great make-ahead dessert that actually improves as it sits.
I’ll sometimes customize the poaching liquid with a cinnamon stick, vanilla, ginger, or cloves, depending on the season. Light, fragrant, and not overly sweet, these pears are especially lovely around the holidays or as a gentle, satisfying finish to a rich meal.
Make ahead instructions
You can make these ahead of time, and some even say these poached pears taste better the next day. If you’re planning on making them ahead of time, skip the step to reduce the poaching liquid and store the pears in the syrup in the fridge for up to 3 days.
When you’re ready to serve them, first heat up the poaching liquid and then add the pears to gently warm them. Remove them from the liquid, and set them aside to reduce the amaretto syrup.
What to serve with poached pears
Enjoy these poached pears for dessert alongside a dollop of freshly whipped cream, mascarpone cheese, crème fraîche, or vanilla ice cream .
Because the greatest desserts can acceptably be eaten for breakfast, enjoy leftover poached pears in porridge, stirred into yogurt, with pancakes or waffles, or sliced up on sourdough with some ricotta cheese throughout the holiday season, and beyond!
Amaretto Poached Pears Recipe
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Ingredients
- ▢ 6 pears
- ▢ 1 ½ cups Amaretto
- ▢ 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- ▢ Optional: whipped cream or mascarpone (to serve)
Instructions
- Peel the pears and gently remove the core from the bottom with a paring knife or a small spoon. 6 pears
- Bring the Amaretto and brown sugar to a boil in a pot just big enough to fit the pears. Add the pears, lower the heat, cover the pot, and simmer for 15 minutes. Turn pears every few minutes to ensure all sides of the pears absorb some of the Amaretto flavor. Remove pears and set them aside. 1 ½ cups Amaretto, 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- Increase the heat to high and boil the amaretto, uncovered, until it is reduced to ½ cup.
- To serve, stand a pear in the middle of a plate. Drizzle with reduced Amaretto sauce over the top and add a dollop of whipped cream or mascarpone cheese beside the pear. Optional: whipped cream or mascarpone
Nutrition
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Amaretto Poached Pears Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 pears
- 1 ½ cups Amaretto
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- Optional: whipped cream or mascarpone , to serve
Instructions
- Peel the pears and gently remove the core from the bottom with a paring knife or a small spoon. 6 pears
- Bring the Amaretto and brown sugar to a boil in a pot just big enough to fit the pears. Add the pears, lower the heat, cover the pot, and simmer for 15 minutes. Turn pears every few minutes to ensure all sides of the pears absorb some of the Amaretto flavor. Remove pears and set them aside. 1 ½ cups Amaretto, 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- Increase the heat to high and boil the amaretto, uncovered, until it is reduced to ½ cup.
- To serve, stand a pear in the middle of a plate. Drizzle with reduced Amaretto sauce over the top and add a dollop of whipped cream or mascarpone cheese beside the pear. Optional: whipped cream or mascarpone
