34 pear recipes

Why we love pears

There are hundreds of varieties of pear and, like apples, they vary greatly in their flavour and texture. From buttery, sweet, bright-red varieties to coarse-textured, firmer ones, it’s always best to try the pears before cooking with them so you know how much sugar to add, or how much cooking they’ll need.

As well as being used for desserts or cakes, you can serve simply on a cheeseboard in thin slices, in blue cheese salads, pickled on top of tartines or finely sliced in slaws.

Health benefits of pears

Pears are a good source of fibre, so may support the gut and digestive system. They're low in calories but high in fibre and water, so they keep you feeling full. This can be helpful for anyone trying to lose weight healthily. They're also rich in plant compounds which help protect against some cancers, lower risk of type 2 diabetes and support a healthy heart.

Sweet pear recipes

Salted caramel and pear blondies

Check out these moreish blondies with salted caramel and pears. Whip these up in under an hour for an easy treat to serve friends or family.

Try more of our beautiful brownie and blondie recipes.

Pear crumble

A classic crumble with a thick, crunchy top, this comforting pud really makes the most of pears. All that's left is to decide between ice cream, cream or custard.

You'll love our plum crumble and more comforting crumble recipes.

Pear tarte tatin

Making a classic tarte tatin may be the ultimate pudding showstopper, but combine it with ripe British pears and you’re reaching perfection. Remember, ice cream on the side is non-negotiable.

We also have a delicious recipe for savoury shallot tarte tatin.

Pear cake

To get the nutty flavour in this cake you need to cook the butter until the milk solids turn golden, then cool and cream with the sugar as in a standard cake method. It takes a bit longer but is worth it for the flavour.

For another autumnal bake, try our plum loaf cake.

Poached pears with chocolate sauce

A fancy dessert idea that makes the most of Williams pears, smooth dark chocolate sauce and pedro ximénez sherry. And it only takes 25 minutes to make.

For another speedy treat, try our quick crumble recipe.

Pear pie

Check out this impressive 'stargazy' pear pie recipe with patchwork design and sugar-topped flaky pastry. This easy dessert is packed with vibrant chunky rhubarb and seasonal pears, a perfect family pudding.

For another old school pud, try rhubarb brown sugar cobbler.

Pear and blackberry crumble bars

Pears are paired with fresh blackberries and runny honey to create these nutty crumble bars – brilliant for an afternoon treat or breakfast on the go.

Got a bag of oats to use up? It's time to make flapjacks.

Pear, ginger and almond tart

Impress at your next dinner party with this frangipane tart, studded with juicy pears and flavoured with warming stem ginger.

Salted caramel pear cake

Spiced poached pears and pecans fill this impressive layer cake – a brilliant autumnal alternative to Victoria sponge.

Next, bake our delightfully fruity raspberry and white chocolate layer cake.

Pears poached in perry with candied walnuts

Want an impressive dinner party dessert for four? Check out our easy pear recipe poached in perry, served with chantilly cream and topped with crunchy candied walnuts.

Whether you like a fruity, creamy or chocolatey end to your meal, we've got dessert recipes for everyone.

Pear bread and butter pudding

This pear pudding should be on the custardy side rather than bready. You may need to push the brioche under the egg mixture at the start to make sure it is completely covered.

If, like us, you're a big bread and butter fan then you've got to try our chocolate bread and butter pudding.

Pear and ginger upside down cake

Try our pear and ginger upside-down cake – it's moist, light and delicately sweet. Impress your friends and family this weekend with our easy-to-make cake.

Bake one of our showstopping cakes.

Pear and chocolate pudding

The best chocolate puddings are the ones that you don't have to share. We love these individual little pots of chocolate sponge and pear. Just add cream to serve and let your family and friends dive in.

Next time, tuck into an extra large slice of our chocolate sponge with hot chocolate sauce.

Pear and hazelnut Bakewell

Sweet pastry filled with the fragrant frangipane and topped with pears – this is one of our favourite combinations for dessert or afternoon tea. Serve with a big dollop of ice cream or with lashings of double cream.

Serve up a slice of delight with our best afternoon tea recipes.

Calvados-poached pears with cardamom custard and sesame brittle

Pears are poached in a calvados and perry syrup, and served with sweet-savoury sesame brittle in this sophisticated autumn pud (not forgetting lashings of silky cardamom-infused custard).

Be inspired by all our comforting, cosy autumn recipes.

Pear, saffron and browned butter muffins

If muffins with muffin tops are what you are after, don't use paper cases, just butter the muffin holes. These work perfectly well without the saffron if you don't have any – you could add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg instead, if you like.

Check out more of our moreish muffin recipes.

Chocolate and pear celebration cake

Whatever you're celebrating, you should be serving up this decadent chocolate olive oil sponge cake, adorned with luscious hazelnut praline buttercream, tender stewed pears, and crowned with delightful edible flowers. It's sure to wow the crowd.

For another family favourite, try our vanilla cake with sprinkles.

Crémant poached pear, hazelnut praline and hot chocolate sauce

This recipe for crémant poached pear, hazelnut praline and hot chocolate sauce comes from Oldroyd restaurant in Islington.

For another elegant dessert, try white chocolate crème brûlée.

Winter-spiced pear cocktail

This winter-spiced pear cocktail is light but warming – flavoured with spices of star anise and cinnamon it has the silky texture you get from adding egg white. Guaranteed to be your new favourite tipple.

We've got lots more winter cocktails to keep you sipping all season.

Savoury pear recipes

Sausage, pear and parsnip traybake

Serve these delicious roast sausages with parsnips, pears and red onions. Ready in under an hour, pair with your favourite potatoes and steamed veg.

Tuck into our sausage chilli traybake and see more traybake recipes.

Pear, gorgonzola and pickled walnut pizzettes

Enjoy these moreish mini pizzas as an aperitif or light lunch, topped with sweet and tangy pickled walnuts and drizzled with floral honey.

Pear and blue cheese toasts

Savour these slices of toasted sourdough rye, covered in blue cheese and lemon juice-soaked pear, and drizzled with salted brown butter honey.

Put the rest of your blue cheese to good use with our broccoli blue cheese bake.

Griddled pear, rocket and prosciutto salad

Sweet seared pear, crunchy toasted hazelnuts and salty prosciutto all go into making this simple but sophisticated starter.

See all our recipes using prosciutto.

Italian flatbread with pear, walnut and gorgonzola

The combination of gorgonzola, pears and walnuts is often found in a salad but here it works brilliantly on molten cheesy bread. It’s great hot but equally good for lunchboxes the day after.

Master classic focaccia with our easy to follow recipe.

Pear and blue cheese tart with walnut pastry

A lovely vegetarian main that works well as part of a buffet. Shop-bought shortcrust pastry makes life easy and is given a clever twist with added walnuts. You can use up any leftover blue cheese for the delicious pear and blue cheese filling.

Wow the crowd with one of our savoury tart recipes.

Pear salad with pickled grape, taleggio and walnuts

Tangy pickled grapes meet creamy taleggio in this recipe, the perfect low-calorie midweek meal.

See more gluten-free lunch ideas.

Spiced pear chutney

Sour cherries give a tangy flavour to this spiced pear chutney, while star anise adds aromatic notes — serve with cheese and cold meats as part of a festive buffet.

Preserve the best of the season with our chutney recipes.

Red pear and serrano ham salad

Serrano ham and pear are a match made in heaven. This salad makes a great, easy, low-calorie dinner that's ready in just 15 minutes.

Browse our easy low-calorie meals.

Pear and dolcelatte tarts

Throw together these pear and blue cheese individual tarts for an easy vegetarian starter or as a light lunch with salad. The sweet, salty, cheesy filling is sure to be a winner.

You'll find lots more like this in our vegetarian starter recipes.

Celeriac and pear soup

Celeriac is a classic vegetable to make soup from, but adding pear and ginger takes it to another level. This is brilliant made ahead then frozen. Serve with toasts spread with creamy blue cheese.

Try our comforting winter soup recipes.

Catherine wheel sausage with pears, cobnuts and celeriac mash

It’s not just the name that makes this dish perfect for a bonfire or fireworks party. The mixture of sticky, sweet, savoury and a pop of heat from the mustard is exactly the kind of thing you want to be eating on a cold autumn night – fire blazing, scarves done up tightly and sparklers at the ready.

We've got more than 50 sweet and savoury recipes for Bonfire Night that kids and adults will love.

Pear, chicory and blue cheese salad

A supremely colourful winter salad that combines creamy blue cheese (ideally dolcelatte) with red onions, pears, red chicory, parsley and walnuts, plus a quick red wine vinegar dressing.

For another fruity salad, enjoy classic waldorf salad.

Roast partridge and cinnamon pears with warm barley and roots salad

Chef Mark Lloyd nestles whole partridges in a warm barley base for an easy recipe to cook game at home.

Next, try pheasant with Puy lentils.

Roast venison and pear salad with toasted hazelnuts

The Falcon’s hearty country cooking makes for perfect homemade comfort food – try this posh, warming salad from the Herefordshire restaurant for an easy entertaining dish.

See all our hazelnut recipes.