55 Delicious Pear Recipes You’ll Make Again and Again

Whenever I serve this fruity pancake, people think I slaved for hours. They’re surprised that such an attractive, scrumptious dish could be so easy. —Carol Williams, St. Joseph, Missouri

While being poached, the pear absorbs the sweetness and spice from the sugar, wine, cinnamon and peppercorn. It makes an easy, yet elegant, dessert that’s perfect for a special night. —Kiersten Atkinson, Birmingham, Alabama

We serve these tangy, saucy pears over angel food cake, pound cake or with a little yogurt or vanilla ice cream. Sprinkle with a favorite topping. —Joy Zacharia, Clearwater, Florida

I love cheese and fruit, so this pie is a natural pairing for me. Sweet and spicy wine-poached pears and a flaky, buttery cheese crust make for a winning dessert you’ll want to make again and again. If you’re serving this for Thanksgiving, bake leaf-shaped pie pastry on top for a festive look. —Alexandra Penfold, Brooklyn, New York

This fun combination of ingredients comes together beautifully in one flavor-packed dish. Crunchy apples and ripe, juicy pears are fantastic tossed with crisp, cool cucumbers and a spicy dressing. —Jean Ecos, Hartland, Wisconsin

You’ll be tempted to eat this main dish with all the delicious flavors of a stuffed pork chop straight out of the pan. But save some for your guests—it’s sure to wow them at the dinner table! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I had never seen a “pie without a pan” until my daughter brought back this wonderful pear almond tart recipe from a Rotary Club exchange program in Belgium. It’s still a family favorite after all these years. —Sherry LaMay, Capitan, New Mexico

Filled with smoked mozzarella and sweet pears, these creative bundles are elegance at its easiest. A simple raspberry sauce finishes the dish nicely. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

With its crunchy golden topping and flavorful blend of tart cranberries and sweet apples and pears, this dessert makes a refreshing finish to heavy winter meals. —Lois Gelzer, Standish, Maine

When our tree branches are loaded with ripe and juicy fruit, I treat my family and friends to lots of pear recipes. I always receive raves and requests for this particular recipe because of the mix of fun ingredients.—Linda Patrick, Houston, Texas

In the fall we would go to our farm and pick pears and apples. Then we’d build a campfire and roast hot dogs. Later we’d all get together and make big batches of these tasty preserves. —Tammy Watkins, Greentop, Missouri

I really like mushrooms with cheese. Add pears, broil away, and you’ve got a scrumptious open-face sandwich. Serve with a salad and fruity tea. —Marla Hyatt, St. Paul, MN

Two of my family’s favorite fruits appear in this splendid pie with a nutty streusel topping. I like to serve slices with cherry-vanilla frozen yogurt.—Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

The sweet pear, salty sausage and creamy blue cheese are a wonderful combination in this dish. It tastes just like something you’d get at a great restaurant. —Debby Harden, Williamston, Michigan

The aroma of baking gingerbread stirs up such warm memories. This one looks festive and is even on the lighter side. —Nancy Beckman, Helena, Montana

For a light dessert after a big barbecue, we stuff pears with mascarpone cheese and gingersnap cookies. Add a drizzle of caramel sauce for a sweet touch. —Faith Cromwell, San Francisco, California

Once peeled, parsnips may turn dark when exposed to air, so be sure to roast them right after they’re chopped. If you want to get a head start on prep, store peeled and chopped parsnips in acidulated water (just add a bit of lemon or lime juice or vinegar to water).—Sara Petrie, Grassie, Ontario

This pretty salad is a tasty way to get your greens. To change it up, swap apples for pears and pecans for walnuts. —Joylyn Trickel, Helendale, California

From just two trees, we get an abundance of pears. So I’m always looking for new ideas on how to use them. This elegant roast offers a delicious way to incorporate pears into a main dish stuffing and glaze.

This is my favorite cake to make for last-minute occasions. I also make it to give to friends because it always turns out just right, and it’s made with ingredients I normally have on hand. —Beverly Lovegrove, Winnipeg, Manitoba

A neighbor of mine passed along this favorite recipe. I’ve given many jars of this jam as gifts. Day to day, we enjoy it on toast with ham and eggs or on hot rolls with a meat. —Karen Bockelman, Portland, Oregon

My son loves pear crisp, but one night I was making bread pudding. He asked if I could make both. I compromised by combining two desserts into this one dish. It’s absolutely fantastic! —Kurt Wait, Redwood City, California

Nothing is more refreshing to me than a seasonal fruit salad enhanced with this simple honey-lime dressing. —Victoria Shevlin, Cape Coral, Florida

My husband, Dave, and I have been in a dinner group with three other couples for a few years. We often share our recipes. This grilled pork was served by one of the couples, and I decided to “pear” it with this fabulous salsa. —Suzan Ward, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

From the hazelnuts to the yummy browned butter glaze, this dessert is a little different from an everyday pound cake. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

We have a huge pear tree in our yard, which is why I came up with this recipe. The tart lime, sweet pears and tangy ginger are a winning combination. —Heather Naas, Lompoc, California

Roasted vegetables and pears are scrumptious paired with blue cheese and toasted hazelnuts and then drizzled with balsamic vinegar. —Susie Van Etten, Chapmansboro, Tennessee

I remember my mom making this pie when I was growing up. I make several while I have fresh pears from the family tree, then freeze them for later. One taste tester declared it “the best pear pie I have ever eaten.” —Paula Hoffman, Plainview, Nebraska

The flavors of fresh, sweet pears and gingerbread blend beautifully in this intriguing variation on pineapple upside-down cake. Leftovers—if there are any—taste great with coffee or tea the next day. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas

A friend who does a lot of catering fixed this salad for our staff Christmas party several years ago, and we all asked for the recipe. The unexpected sweet-salty mix and lovely dressing make it a hit with everyone. —Arlene Muller, Kingwood, Texas

Full of fruity flavor, this delightful jam is a great toast topper. Delores Ward of Decatur, Indiana came up with the recipe when a neighbor gave her an armload of pears. “Everyone really likes it,” says Delores.

Pears give these little loaves delicious flavor and help keep them nice and moist. They’re great to wrap up in plastic wrap and give as gifts. —Mary Lynn Wilson, Linden, Texas

This crisp is packed with a combination of healthy pears and apples, and just the right amount of tasty walnuts in the topping. You’ll love it! —Amanda Pettit, Logan, Ohio

The perfect balance of tart and sweet to top a tenderloin—this autumn dinner is a family-favorite. Keep this chutney recipe on hand for turkey dinners, too. —Amanda Reed, Nashville, Tennessee

This is warm, sweet and filling—comfort food at its best! Scoop it up hot from the oven and serve it on those crisp, cool autumn days. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Gingersnaps lend crunch to my heartwarming cool-weather classic, featuring the season’s juiciest fruit—pears.—Linda Robertson, Cozad, Nebraska

For a unique treat that’s always a hit at fall get-togethers, try this easy appetizer. The salsa is packed with crunchy apples, grapes and pears, which are so fun to scoop up with crisp cinnamon chips. —Courtney Fons, Brighton, Michigan

A honey of a salute to late-summer pear season, this cozy dessert looks both elegant and decadent. Wrapped in puff pastry, the pears resemble little beehives. —Heather Baird, Knoxville, Tennessee

I created this recipe using ingredients on hand from a recent party – pears, mozzarella and salad greens. It’s beautiful to look at, a good blend of textures and so simple to fix. —Shirlee Bodfield, Tucson, Arizona

Oatmeal fans will love this dish. Although the pears, blueberries and granola make a beautiful breakfast, with vanilla ice cream, the recipe also makes a delicious dessert.—Lisa Workman, Boones Mill, Virginia

My sweet, chunky chutney-flavored with orange, almond and ginger-is great with chicken, turkey or pork. You can prepare it a couple of days in advance and use it to dress up a plain weekday supper.

I saw a recipe for this rustic tart in a cookbook and wanted to try my own version of it. I changed the spices and chose my own fruits. It is a great dessert for the fall.—Lisa Varner, Charleston, South Carolina

With tongue-tingling peppers, pears, tomatoes and more, this versatile chutney is a mouthful of flavor. Serve it alongside your favorite meat entree…as a sandwich spread…over cream cheese for an appetizer…or even with chips as a salsa-style dip.—Deb Thomson, Grand Island, Nebraska

Growing up in a German household, I often enjoyed an assortment of sweet treats. I carry on that tradition with my own family by making these molasses cookie cups, which we use to hold pretty poached pears as well as ice cream.—Petra Maria, Oakland, California

When it comes to a heartwarming treat on a chilly winter’s day, this home-style crisp is hard to beat. The gingersnap-crumb topping nicely accents the apples, pears, raisins and dates. —Pat Habiger, Spearville, Kansas

This sweet-tart fruit punch is scented with cinnamon, allspice and cloves, which makes it a fantastic beverage for winter and fall. If you like use, 1 medium red-skinned apple and 1 medium green-skinned apple for even more color.—Tina Bellows, Racine, Wisconsin

Want a family-friendly side dish? This colorful medley is kid-pleasing and a great way to encourage healthy eating. —Sharon Ricci, Spooner, Wisconsin

Talk about cutie pies! These tasty pear mini pies, baked in ramekins, are super easy. Frozen puff pastry makes it simple to treat your loved ones to personal-size desserts. —Barbara Engelhart, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Combined in a sensational bite-size package are some of my favorites items—blue cheese, pears and walnut. My coworkers snatch them up when I bring them in for office festivities.—Heidi Der, Stow, Ohio

I enjoy cooking for my parents, and my bacon-wrapped scallops recipe is one of their favorites. If you prefer, replace the pear preserves with preserves or jam of a different flavor. —Ethan Hall, King, North Carolina

I came up with this simple recipe one night for a quick dinner. They’re perfect with a cup of soup for a delicious weeknight meal. —Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada

Lime and basil really brighten the flavors in this colorful salsa. It’s best when scooped up on a homemade cinnamon chip. —Navalee Hylton, Lauderhill, Florida

I created this twist on a Bellini when a friend gave me some Asian pears she grew in her backyard. If you like ginger and want more of a kick, try substituting ginger liqueur for the vodka. —Jacyn Siebert, San Francisco, California

Pears and brandy team up to turn ordinary pork chops into a restaurant-quality dish that’s good enough for guests. Serve with an upscale side, such as brussels sprouts or asparagus, and a glass of wine for a fantastic meal. —Gina Quartermaine, Alexandria, Virginia