Skip to content

Top Navigation

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Food and Recipes
  • Culture and Lifestyle
  • Style
  • Holidays & Occasions
  • Home
  • Gardening Ideas
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Southern Living

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      Here are the haircuts you'll be seeing everywhere this year. Read More
    • How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Read More
    • 50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      Not sure what to write in a thank you card? Here's how to show your gratitude with a handwritten note. Read More
  • Food and Recipes

    Food and Recipes

    See All Food and Recipes
    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    It’s not all in the senses, but they sure can help.
    • Recipes
    • Quick and Easy Dinner
    • Kitchen Assistant
    • Casserole
    • Holiday and Occasion Food
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Healthy and Light
    • Side Dishes
    • Party Food and Drink
    • Appetizers
    • Meat
    • Breakfast
    • BBQ
    • Drinks
    • What's Cooking
  • Culture and Lifestyle

    Culture and Lifestyle

    See All Culture and Lifestyle
    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    Let your besties know how much they mean to you with these unique nicknames.
    • Quotes and Sayings
    • Biscuits and Jam Podcast
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Healthy Living
    • Coastal Living
  • Style

    Style

    See All Style
    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The beginning of a new year often has us all feeling like starting off fresh by taking on better habits, getting rid of old ones, and—most commonly—changing up our look. While others are hitting the squats and going into the salon for a pixie cut, why not start slow and steady with a cozy winter manicure in a color that feels new to you? It takes only a little courage to step outside your usual OPI Lincoln Park After Dark or Essie Bordeaux, which is all you need to kick 2022 off on a fanciful foot.  From new wintry takes on classic dark nail colors to unique pops of color that'll have you feeling the opposite of boring, these are the best nail colors to try this January and tick off all the way into spring. 
    • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Fashion
    • Short Hairstyles
    • Nails
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Skincare
    • Long Hairstyles
  • Holidays & Occasions

    Holidays & Occasions

    See All Holidays & Occasions
    • Thanksgiving
    • Gifts
    • Christmas
    • Mother's Day
    • Hanukkah
    • New Year's
    • Easter
    • Mardi Gras
    • 4th of July
    • Weddings
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    There's no denying how the pandemic fundamentally changed the world—including how we live (and work) inside our homes. An overall trend toward celebrating the history and originality of our homes is displacing ultramodern aesthetics and sharp lines as we all look to create cozier, colorful, more personalized spaces that better suit our lifestyles. We're turning away from big-box stores and toward vintage items—first, out of necessity due to supply-chain issues, and now, for design reasons—to add charm and character to every room in the house, including the kitchen. Here, interior designers from around the South share their predictions for what's trending in kitchen design for 2022 and beyond.
    • Home Decor Ideas
    • Idea Houses
    • Kitchen Design
    • Before & After Photos
    • Bathroom Design
    • Curb Appeal
    • Bedroom Design
    • DIY Home Decor
    • Color Palettes & Paint
    • House Plans & Builders
    • Inspired Communities
  • Gardening Ideas

    Gardening Ideas

    See All Gardening Ideas
    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    Plus a few strategies for keeping them out-of-doors
    • Container Gardening
    • Gardening Flowers
    • Fruit, Vegetable & Herb Gardens
    • Garden Pests
    • Plant Guides A-Z
    • Indoor Plants
    • Fall Plants
    • Landscaping Ideas
    • The Grumpy Gardener
  • News

    News

    See All News
    • Celebrities
    • Local News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Southern Living
  2. Food and Recipes
  3. Fruits
  4. 25 Perfect Pear Recipes to Serve from Breakfast to Dessert

25 Perfect Pear Recipes to Serve from Breakfast to Dessert

Southern Living May 2021 Cover
By Southern Living Editors Updated October 13, 2021
Skip gallery slides
FB
Slow-Cooker Cranberry-Pear Butter
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Toward the end of summer and beginning of fall, you begin to see pears at the farmers' market and in the produce section. If you grew up eating juicy pears, you know and love this time of year. While we love to enjoy them alone, pears are an extremely versatile ingredient in the kitchen. You might assume that all of these pear recipes are desserts. With their natural sweetness (that's not too sweet), pears make an incredible choice for adding some freshness to a sugary dessert. Our Apple and Pear Crisp, Pear-Cranberry Pie with Ginger-Almond Streusel, and Spiced Pear Hand Pies are certainly proof of that. But these pear recipes show that you can enjoy pears at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, too. Spruce up your mornings with our Buttermilk Grits with Pear Granola or Slow-Cooker Cranberry-Pear Butter. Pack the best brown-bag lunch ever with our flavorful Parsnip-and-Pear Soup. Add something homemade to your cheese board with a jar of Pear Preserves or serve our Pancetta Crisps with Goat Cheese and Pear to impress Mama during cocktail hour. With these genius pear recipes, you'll never overlook them at the market again.

Start Slideshow

1 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Pear Salad

Pear Salad
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Pear Salad

This old-school recipe made an appearance at almost every holiday gathering and luncheon Grandma hosted.

1 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Apple and Pear Crisp

Apple and Pear Crisp
Credit: Jennifer Davick; Food Styling: Vanessa Rocchio; Prop Styling: Missie Crawford

Recipe: Apple and Pear Crisp

There's no dessert easier than a classic crisp, and this one comes together with the help of your slow cooker.

2 of 25

3 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Spiced Pear Hand Pies

Spiced Pear Hand Pies
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Spiced Pear Hand Pies

These homemade hand pies are the sweetest grab-and-go treats for picnics and road trips.

3 of 25

Advertisement

4 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Pear Preserves

Pear Preserves
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Pear Preserves

Putting up fresh produce to enjoy year-round is one of our favorite past times, and with just three ingredients, you don't have any excuse not to try this recipe.

4 of 25

5 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Upside Down Pear-and-Gingerbread Cake

Gingerbread-and-Pear Upside-Down Cake
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Upside Down Pear-and-Gingerbread Cake

We gave the classic upside-down cake a festive spin that's perfect for the holidays.

5 of 25

6 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Bourbon and Hard Pear Cider Cocktail

Bourbon and Hard Pear Cider Cocktail
Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Bourbon and Hard Pear Cider Cocktail

Show off your bartending skills with this cocktail recipe that calls for two homemade simple syrups.

6 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Pear-Cranberry Pie with Ginger-Almond Streusel

Pear-Cranberry Pie with Ginger-Almond Streusel
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

Recipe: Pear-Cranberry Pie with Ginger-Almond Streusel

From the buttery vanilla bean pie crust to the crumby streusel on top, this seasonal pie recipe is an absolute treat.

7 of 25

8 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Parsnip-and-Pear Soup

Parsnip-and-Pear Soup
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Parsnip-and-Pear Soup

This smooth and fresh soup is a flavorful way to start supper club or lunchtime.

8 of 25

9 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Chocolate-Pear Muffins

Chocolate-Pear Muffins
Credit: Linda Pugliese

Recipe: Chocolate-Pear Muffins

These sweet treats are the best surprise a neighbor could get.

9 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Roasted Pears

Roasted Pears
Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Roasted Pears

These tender, caramelized pears were developed with our Acadian Syrup Cake, but they're delicious atop classic pound cake, plain vanilla ice cream, or even French toast at brunch.

10 of 25

11 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Slow-Cooker Cranberry-Pear Butter

Slow-Cooker Cranberry-Pear Butter
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Cranberry-Pear Butter

This recipe makes 16 jars of beautiful fruit butter, so you can give it as gifts to friends and new neighbors alike.

11 of 25

12 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Buttermilk Grits with Pear-Granola

Hatch Chile Grits Breakfast Bowl Recipe
Credit: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Buttermilk Grits with Pear-Granola

This not-too-sweet breakfast has an amazing blend of texture and flavor that kids and adults will love.

12 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Pancetta Crisps with Goat Cheese and Pear

Pancetta Crisps With Goat Cheese and Pear
Credit: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Pancetta Crisps with Goat Cheese and Pear

This salty, sweet, and absolutely beautiful appetizer has just the right blend of flavors in each bite.

13 of 25

14 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Pear Pie

Pear Pie
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pear Pie

Like many Southern dessert recipes, this fruit pie benefits from the addition of a splash of bourbon.

14 of 25

15 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Saucy Apples 'n' Pears

Saucy Apples 'n' Pears
Credit: Mariha-kitchen/Getty Images

Recipe: Saucy Apples 'n' Pears

This slow-cooker dessert is the ideal partner for a bowl of vanilla ice cream or a slice of pound cake.

15 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Apple-and-Pear Cornmeal Galette

Apple-and-Pear Cornmeal Galette
Credit: Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Apple-and-Pear Cornmeal Galette

Making this rustic fall dessert is easier than fussing with pie crust. Plus, you can make this galette ahead of time and reheat it a few minutes before serving to help you out when hosting.

16 of 25

17 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Mini Pear-Cranberry Pies

Mini Pear-Cranberry Pies and Mini Pumpkin Pies with Maple Whipped Cream
Credit: David Malosh; Prop Styling: Robyn Glaser; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero

Recipe: Mini Pear-Cranberry Pies

Tart cranberries and sweet, tender pears are a match made in fall dessert heaven with this adorable mini pie recipe that makes serving oh-so-simple.

17 of 25

18 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Poached Pears with Vanilla Custard Sauce

Poached Pears with Vanilla Custard Sauce
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Recipe: Poached Pears with Vanilla Custard Sauce

If you want to serve a fall dessert that will make your guests feel like they're at a fancy restaurant, these gorgeous poached pears will do the trick.

18 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Dark Chocolate-Pear Cake

Dark Chocolate-Pear Cake
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Recipe: Dark Chocolate-Pear Cake

Our Test Kitchen calls this fudgy cast-iron skillet dessert a "brownie cake" because of its crisp crust and gooey center.

19 of 25

20 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Pear-Plum Tartlets

Pear-Plum Tartlets
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Recipe: Pear-Plum Tartlets

How cute are these? Since they're delicious served warm or at room temperature, these tartlets are a great make-ahead dessert option for the busy fall season.

20 of 25

21 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Caramel Apple-Pear Pie

Caramel Apple-Pear Pie
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Recipe: Caramel Apple-Pear Pie

Caramel and apples are one of our favorite fall pairings, and the addition of pears only amplifies the delicious combination of flavors.

21 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Maple-Pecan-Pear Cheesecake

Maple-Pecan-Pear Cheesecake
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Recipe: Maple-Pecan-Pear Cheesecake

Pears star in the cheesecake filling and topping for this recipe, so you don't get a shortage of fall flavor in this photo-worthy dessert recipe.

22 of 25

23 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Simplest Pear Tart

Simplest Pear Tart
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Recipe: Simplest Pear Tart

First-time Thanksgiving hosts or novice bakers will love this easy but elegant dessert for the season.

23 of 25

24 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Brown Sugar Baked Pears

Brown Sugar Baked Pears
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Pears

If you don't have time for an intricate layer cake this holiday season, don't stress. These beautiful baked pears take just 10 minutes of hands-on time but are full of fall flavor.

24 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 25

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Pear-and-Brie Puff Pastry Tarts

Pear-and-Brie Puff Pastry Tarts
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Pear-and-Brie Puff Pastry Tarts

Meet your new favorite holiday appetizer. These pretty little tarts are best served warm, so plan on popping them in the oven about 20 minutes before friends and family arrive.

25 of 25

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Southern Living Editors

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 25 Pear Salad
    2 of 25 Apple and Pear Crisp
    3 of 25 Spiced Pear Hand Pies
    4 of 25 Pear Preserves
    5 of 25 Upside Down Pear-and-Gingerbread Cake
    6 of 25 Bourbon and Hard Pear Cider Cocktail
    7 of 25 Pear-Cranberry Pie with Ginger-Almond Streusel
    8 of 25 Parsnip-and-Pear Soup
    9 of 25 Chocolate-Pear Muffins
    10 of 25 Roasted Pears
    11 of 25 Slow-Cooker Cranberry-Pear Butter
    12 of 25 Buttermilk Grits with Pear-Granola
    13 of 25 Pancetta Crisps with Goat Cheese and Pear
    14 of 25 Pear Pie
    15 of 25 Saucy Apples 'n' Pears
    16 of 25 Apple-and-Pear Cornmeal Galette
    17 of 25 Mini Pear-Cranberry Pies
    18 of 25 Poached Pears with Vanilla Custard Sauce
    19 of 25 Dark Chocolate-Pear Cake
    20 of 25 Pear-Plum Tartlets
    21 of 25 Caramel Apple-Pear Pie
    22 of 25 Maple-Pecan-Pear Cheesecake
    23 of 25 Simplest Pear Tart
    24 of 25 Brown Sugar Baked Pears
    25 of 25 Pear-and-Brie Puff Pastry Tarts

    Share & More

    Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print
    Southern Living

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Books from Southern Living
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    MeredithSouthern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. Southern Living is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab All Rights Reserved. Southern Living may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Southern Living. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.southernliving.com

    Sign in

    View image

    25 Perfect Pear Recipes to Serve from Breakfast to Dessert
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.