Spiced Honey Pears

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ready to serve as is or waiting for whipped cream or ice cream. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

Spiced Honey Pears

It's been interesting sharing my homegrown Bartlett pears with friends.  Every single one so far had a story: they remembered eating fresh pears as kids; their grandparents had a pear tree or they've thought about planting a pear tree but haven't yet. Pears have been a personal favorite ever since we moved back  to the US so my story is that I enjoy them.

My Stark Brothers semi-dwarf pear tree has its own story. Planted in 1985, I honestly forgot I even had the tree until 2011, when bees and wasps pollinated the pear tree flowers giving me my first homegrown pears. Planting on a hillside means it can take roots many, many years to get a tree established.

If you have pears, or someone sharing pears with you, here's the recipe my friend Jackie Davis made with some of my pears. And her first honey. 

this recipe uses green pears and honey from your favorite local beekeeper. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

Spiced Honey Pears Recipe

You Need:
6-8 green pears peeled, cored and cut in half.
1/3 cup honey
6 teaspoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

baked pears still in the juice in the cooking dish. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

To Make:

  • Mix ingredients except pears; microwave for 30 seconds.

  • Save half the sauce.

  • Place pear halves bottom up in a baking dish. Pour half the mixture over pears.

  • Bake at 400F for 30-45 minutes. Remove from oven; let sit for 5-10 minutes.

  • Drizzle rest of sauce over pears. Bake another 10 minutes or so. Remove from oven to cool. Serve.

  • When ready to serve and storing, pour the remaining sauce over pears.

  • Baked pears are not too sweet so you can indulge by adding whipped topping and/or ice cream.

  • Just as good the next day in case you want to make this recipe ahead for dinner.

here’s a quick way to enjoy bartlett pears. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

Easy Pear Desert 

No time to make spiced honey pears? Try this instead.

Cut up 2-4 pears in a microwaveable dish.
Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon to  taste. 
Add splash of vanilla.
Add a splash of lemon juice.
Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes.
Stir. Let sit for a minute or so.
Garnish with a drizzle of honey, whipped cream or ice cream. Or enjoy just as is!

Charlotte