The Coziest Baked Pears Recipe with Maple and Walnuts

For me, the true start of autumn isn’t the first day the calendar says so. It’s the first time the air has a crisp edge to it, the first time I reach for a cozy sweater, and the first time the scent of something warm and spiced fills my kitchen. This, right here, is the recipe that kicks off the season for me every single year.

This beautiful baked pears recipe was born from a desire to create one of those perfect fall dessert recipes—something that felt special enough for company but was simple enough to whip up on a whim. It quickly became my secret weapon, the dish I turn to for everything from a quiet Sunday evening treat to the grand finale of our holiday meal.

It’s one of those elegant holiday desserts that looks like it took hours, but our little secret is that it’s wonderfully straightforward. I can’t wait for you to bring this warmth into your home.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Recipe

• Effortlessly Elegant: With their glossy, caramelized tops and crunchy walnuts, these pears look like they came from a fancy restaurant. It’s the perfect Thanksgiving pear dessert to impress your guests without any stress.
• Incredible Fall Flavors: The combination of sweet, tender pears, rich maple syrup, warm spices, and toasty walnuts is pure autumn comfort. This is the maple baked pears recipe you’ve been dreaming of.
• A Healthier Indulgence: At its heart, this is a fruit-based dessert that feels incredibly satisfying. It’s a wonderful option when you’re craving a healthy pear dessert that doesn’t skimp on flavor.

The Secrets to Success

After making this recipe countless times, I’ve learned a couple of little tricks that take it from good to absolutely unforgettable.

1. Don’t Skip Toasting the Walnuts: It might seem like a small step, but toasting the walnuts separately before they go on the pears is a game-changer. It awakens their nutty flavor and ensures they stay perfectly crunchy, even after baking.
2. Create a Stable Base: Ever have a pear half wobble around on the baking dish? The secret is to shave a tiny, thin slice off the rounded bottom of each pear. This creates a flat surface so they sit perfectly still, allowing the glaze to pool beautifully in the center.

The Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to gather for this gorgeous caramelized pears recipe:

• Pantry & Spices

  • $1/2$ cup ($58$ g) coarsely chopped raw walnuts
  • $1/3$ cup ($80$ ml) pure maple syrup – A quick note on this: Please use real, pure maple syrup for this recipe, not pancake syrup. The authentic, woodsy flavor is essential and makes a world of difference.
  • $1/2$ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • $1/2$ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • $1/4$ teaspoon fine sea salt

• Dairy

  • 2 tablespoons ($28$ g) unsalted butter, melted

• Produce

  • 3 firm, ripe Bosc or Bartlett pears – What to look for: Choose pears that are firm to the touch but not rock-hard. They should have a little give near the stem. This ensures they’ll become tender when baked but won’t turn to mush.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Ready to make some magic? Here’s how we’ll bring this baked pears with maple syrup and walnuts recipe to life.

1. Get Ready: First things first, let’s get that oven warming up to 375∘F (190∘C). Lightly grease your 9×13-inch ceramic baking dish so nothing sticks.
2. Toast the Walnuts: In a small, dry skillet over medium heat, toast your chopped walnuts for 3-5 minutes. Keep them moving until they smell toasty and are a shade darker. Set them aside for later.
3. Prep the Pears: Wash and halve your pears from top to bottom. Use a melon baller or a small spoon to gently scoop out the core. Now for that little trick—shave a tiny bit off the back of each pear half so they sit flat in your dish.
4. Mix the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, pure maple syrup, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until it’s one glorious, amber-colored sauce.
5. First Bake: Arrange your pear halves in the dish, cut-side up. Drizzle about half of that lovely glaze over them. Let them bake for 25 minutes.
6. Final Bake: Carefully take the dish out of the oven. Spoon the rest of the glaze over the pears and sprinkle those toasted walnuts on top. Pop it back in the oven for another 10-12 minutes. You’ll know these oven roasted pears are done when they are perfectly tender and the glaze is bubbling.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1.What are the best pears for baking?

Firm, sweet pears like Bosc (my personal favorite for this!), Anjou, or Bartlett are perfect. They hold their shape well during baking and have a wonderful flavor that complements the maple and spices.

2.Can I make these baked pears ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake them completely and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them gently in a 350∘F oven for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. They make a fantastic make-ahead holiday dessert.

I truly hope this warm pear dessert becomes a new seasonal favorite in your home. It’s a recipe filled with happy memories for me, and I hope it creates some for you, too.

Happy baking!