10 Luscious Pear Recipes That'll Make Apples Jealous

Sure, apples are the fruits you automatically reach for in autumn. But when pears are at their seasonal peak, do yourself a favor and try these sweet and savory ways to enjoy their rich, voluptuous flavors. You might find out you've got a new fall favorite. Sorry, apples.

Sweet Pear Recipes

1. Spiced Pears and Pomegranate

This gorgeous dish is made even easier with this technique for quickly whacking the seeds out of a pomegranate. (I guarantee it's very therapeutic.)

2. Almond and Pear Cake

Kerry Rodgers raves, "Very simple and tasted great! Will definitely make this again. Tasted great with some whipped cream on top."

3. Poached Pears Belle Helene

This elegant dessert is deceptively easy to make. Plus, you can poach the pears the day before you plan to serve them, and just heat up the hot fudge sauce before you serve them with a scoop of ice cream.

4. Pear Pie III

Top tip: Use very ripe and juice pears for this recipe to get just a tender rather than crunchy texture.

5. Maple-Pear Tarte Tatin

Frozen puff pastry makes this show-stopping recipe amazingly easy to make. "A hit! The caramel turned to a toffee consistency in the oven. After some resting time toffee melted with the pear juice, delicious!" -- pato

Savory Pear Recipes

6. Spicy Roasted Butternut Squash, Pear, and Bacon Soup

Pears add a subtle sweetness to this comforting fall soup. Waccababe says, "We are totally nuts about butternut squash as a side or in soups. Just made it this afternoon, and 3 teenagers consumed all 8 portions! The maple bacon on top made them swoon."

7. Blue Cheese and Pear Tartlets

These savory little bites are ready to serve your adoring guests in only 35 minutes.

8. Pear and Prosciutto Pizza

A perfect balance of sweet and juicy pears, salty prosciutto, and melty cheese.

9. Grilled Pork Chops with Balsamic Caramelized Pears

10. Baked Brie with Caramelized Pears, Shallots and Thyme

You're going to win every party food competition from now until forever when you bring out this decadent baked appetizer. It's very easy to make, but you don't have to tell anyone that part.

Related

Learn all about different varieties of pears, and which ones to use in your recipes.

Find more pear recipes.