How To Roast Pears For An Irresistible Fall Dessert

When it comes to fall fruits, apples and pumpkins tend to get all the attention. And as much as we love our cinnamon-apple swirl bread and filled pumpkin pie donuts, when the weather starts to get crisp, it's worth leaving room in your autumn dessert rotation for pear-based treats. Pears may be associated with winter, but they're actually in season from August to October, so are in their prime during the fall.

And trust us when we say pears are one of a few overlooked ingredients that you need to start roasting. Sweet and succulent, these fruits caramelize in the oven and turn into a soft, cozy dessert on their own. But because they have a mild sugary flavor, you can add on all the extra fall ingredients you want, making a tasty sweet dish comparable to baked or fried apples. And, because pears have such a thin skin, you don't even need to go the extra mile to peel them. Also, when you take them out of the oven, the little divots in the center make the perfect base for a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream.

Two of the best pear varieties to use for roasting are Bosc and Anjou, since they're sturdy enough that they won't fall apart in the oven. After slice them in half and removing their seeds, just place them in a baking dish skin-side down, and top with your flavorings of choice. Classic fall ingredients that pair well (excuse the pun) include cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, ground ginger, star anise, cloves, vanilla extract, brown sugar, and also a tiny sprinkle of salt to offset the sweetness. You can stop here, or add honey, maple syrup, or molasses for extra rich sweetness, or go for lemon juice for a little brightness to contrast all the warming flavors. Tossing in a small cube of butter in the center of each pear half will help that lovely caramelized flavor peak.

When you're satisfied, flip your pears over and bake them in a 375 degree Fahrenheit oven for 20 or 30 minutes, or until a fork slides in easily. To make sure the cut side gets a little of that tasty caramelization too, flip them once more and bake them for another five minutes or so. To serve, you could add a sprinkling of chopped pecans or walnuts. Or, instead of the ice cream we mentioned, go for whipped cream or vanilla yogurt with more cinnamon or a drizzle of caramel sauce.

And if this has got you in the mood for more fruity pairings, check out our 27 of the best pear recipes for a fall full of sweetness.