9 Perfect Pear Recipes To Enjoy At Every Meal

Southern Living Pear Pie in the pie dish with a slice out
Photo:

Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless 

Toward the end of summer and the beginning of fall, you begin to see pears at the farmers' market and in the produce section. While we enjoy them all on their own, pears are an extremely versatile ingredient in the kitchen.

You can enjoy pears at breakfast, lunch, and even dinner. Add something homemade to your cheese board with a jar of Pear Preserves, or whip up a vintage Pear Salad sure to impress Grandma. Top off your fruit-filled meal with a perfect pear cocktail. With these genius pear recipes, you'll never overlook them at the market again.

01 of 09

Pear Salad

Pear Salad
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This old-school recipe made an appearance at almost every holiday gathering and luncheon Grandma hosted. A serving of this Pear Salad certainly comes with a generous helping of nostalgia.

02 of 09

Partridge In A Pear Tree Cocktail

Partridge In A Pear Tree Cocktail

Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox 

Pear brandy is the base of this festive cocktail flavored with fresh lemon juice and thyme. It's a refreshing, bright sipper for the holiday season or any time of year.

03 of 09

Pear-Cranberry Crisp

Pear-Cranberry Crisp
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell.

Tart cranberries and sweet pears are a perfect match in this easy to make dessert flavored with the warm notes of cinnamon and maple syrup.

04 of 09

Apple and Pear Crisp

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

There's no dessert easier than a classic crisp, and this one comes together with the help of your slow cooker. The pears are complemented by two types of apples and are especially delicious when served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

05 of 09

Pear Preserves

Pear Preserves
Southern Living

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

06 of 09

Pear Upside-Down Cake

pear upside down cake
Photographer: Isaac Nunn, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Pineapple has been dethroned as our favorite upside-down cake fruit. Bosc pears take the cake as a delicious top (or bottom?) for a fall dessert full of warm spices.

07 of 09

Slow-Cooker Cranberry-Pear Butter

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

This recipe makes 16 jars of beautiful fruit butter, so you can give it as gifts to friends and new neighbors alike. Don't worry, you'll still have leftovers to enjoy for yourself on biscuits or with charcuterie.

08 of 09

Pear Pie

Southern Living Pear Pie in the pie dish with a slice out

Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless 

Set aside your apple pie recipe card in favor of this game-changing spiced dessert. Pear pie is warmly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. A brown sugar-butter crumble is a perfect topper instead of more pastry.

09 of 09

Pear-and-Brie Puff Pastry Tarts

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

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.

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