Sweet, juicy caramelized Bosc pears—an irresistible treat that’s as pretty as it is delicious!

Now that it’s mid autumn, one of my favorite fruits is finally in season! Bosc pears with their beautiful russet-brown skin are called the “aristocrat of pears”. Their pleasant, spicy-sweet flavor make them a lovely addition to fall desserts.

Since my family has been trying to follow a more paleo diet (eliminating most grains, processed foods, and refined sugar), I’ve had to rethink our dessert options. These caramelized Bosc pears with coconut whipped cream are the perfect solution.

Coconut whipped cream is perfect for any of our gluten free dessert recipes where you’d use regular whipped cream. Here is your easy guide on how to make coconut whipped cream.

I’ve made coconut whipped cream topping for apple-filled pumpkin crepes, with refreshing blackberries and today, I’m using it for these pears!

Feel free to skip the coconut whipped cream if it’s not your thing. If dairy works for you, a dollop of fresh whipped cream would be good. Or, follow this guide on how to make custard to drizzle on top. Either way, these caramelized pears are always a hit.

They let you satisfy your sweet tooth without needing to add a drop of sugar.

Best of all, this no-guilt recipe is effortless to make (be careful or you might end up making it all the time 😉 ).

Ingredients

No long list of ingredients here. Just juicy Bosc pears, butter, and carefully selected fall spices. It’s hard to believe that such a tasty dessert could be so wholesome.

Instructions

*Free printable recipe card is available at the end of the post.

Links are affiliate links which means I will earn a small commission if you buy the item at no extra cost to you.

Now for the pears. Be sure your pears are fragrant, firm, and ripe or they won’t cook nicely. Let them sit on your counter for a few days if necessary to soften.

Peel them leaving the stem intact (you can also remove the stem, but I think they look more elegant with the stem).

Cut each pear in half and remove the core with a small spoon or knife. Do this just before you’re ready to cook them so that they don’t discolor.

Heat butter in your skillet over a medium-high heat. Then add pears cut side down and cook for 7 minutes, adjusting the heat while being sure that your butter doesn’t burn. The naturally occurring sugar in the pears will caramelize turning brown and flavory.

Turn pears over and cook 4 minutes. Add spices and water, mix in swirling around the pears in the skillet. Cook and stir until pears are softened and caramelized 4-6 more minutes.

The pungent cinnamon, sweet cloves, nutmeg, and citrusy cardamom will fill your whole house with the fragrance of autumn deliciousness.

This was when my kids came running into the kitchen to see if I was baking a pie. It certainly smelled like I had an apple pie or cinnamon rolls baking in the oven. “No,” I said, “I’m making something even better!”

Serve them warm drizzled with the remaining sauce from the pan.

Pro tips and recipe notes

Can I use a different type of pear? While Bosc pears are recommended because they hold their shape well and have a natural sweetness that complements the caramelization process, you can substitute with other varieties like Bartlett or Anjou, but the texture and sweetness may vary.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time? Yes! You can caramelize the pears ahead of time and store them in the fridge. Reheat gently before serving.

Can I add alcohol to the recipe? Yes, you can add a splash of gluten free rum, brandy, or bourbon to the pan when caramelizing the pears for an extra layer of flavor. Just be sure to cook off the alcohol before serving.

How should I store leftovers? If you have any leftovers (though unlikely!), place in an airtight container and refrigerate. They should stay fresh for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

It’s almost too pretty to eat.

Make these the next time you have guests for dinner or, if you can’t wait, make them tonight. Everyone is sure to love them. Usually she’s not a fan of pears, but Nicole couldn’t resist trying one and then couldn’t stop raving about how delicious they were.

Enjoy, friends!

More desserts you’ll love

How To Make Homemade Applesauce: Homemade applesauce is a fun, super easy recipe to make and it tastes so much better than store bought.

Dark Chocolate Drizzled Strawberries With Homemade Yogurt: Transform a nutritious bowl of yogurt into a fancy, guilt-free dessert. Yum.

How To Make Delicious 24-Hour Probiotic Yogurt: One of the most popular recipes on my blog, this is your step by step guide to make fresh creamy yogurt.

Gluten Free Grain Free Blueberry Muffins: Get your ingredients together, and you’ll be taking these coconut flour blueberry muffins out of the oven in just 25 minutes.

Gluten Free Clafoutis You’re going to love this gluten free version of a very special rustic cherry french dessert!

Flourless Chocolate Cake With the creamy chocolate filling complemented by a thin layer of cool silky ganache on top, this cake is every chocolate lover’s dream.

Love this recipe? Pin it!

Print Pin Save

5 from 1 vote