23 Pear Desserts to Make You Swoon Like a Partridge

If it’s understated elegance you’re after, a pear dessert is bound to impress. Fan sliced pears over nutty frangipane or let them sink into lemony cake batter. Toss the fruit into a wintry, lattice-crusted pear pie or stew it into cinnamon-spiced compote. Any recipe on this list would make an excellent cold weather baking project, special enough for your holiday table.

You’ll find a few different types of pears at the grocery store. The best pears for baking are Bosc pears, which have a sweet, honey-like flavor and hold their shape well when poached. Another great choice is Bartlett pears, which have a buttery texture and juicy sweetness; they tend to fall apart when baked, so they’re our top pick for jam or compote. Crisp, juicy Anjou pears can also be used for baking, but they’re also excellent sliced and eaten raw.

Whatever type of pear you choose, ensure your fruit is ripe before proceeding. To tell if a pear is ripe, press at its neck; the fruit should feel firm yet yield slightly to the pressure.