24 pear recipes

There are thousands of pear varieties but the most commonly found ones are Conference, Comice, Red William and Concorde. When buying, look for pears that have a little give at the top or bottom – they ripen from the inside out – and avoid any with bruising or mushiness. Pears are picked when mature, not ripe, so they might still be firm when you add them to your shopping basket. To check for ripeness, apply pressure at the top near the stem – if the fruit yields slightly, it’s good to go.

Pear dessert recipes

Pear crumble

A classic crumble with a thick, crunchy top, this comforting pud really makes the most of pears. Custard or ice cream are non-negotiable!

Chocolate celebration cake

This decadent chocolate, pear and olive oil cake, topped with delicious hazelnut praline buttercream and pretty edible flowers, is perfect for any celebration.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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 brownie and blondie recipes.

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.

Salted caramel pear cake

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

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.

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 mix at the start to make sure it is completely covered.

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 show-stopping cakes here...

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.

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).

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 muffin recipes for an on-the-go snack.

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. Crément is a type of sparkling wine. This recipe is great for entertaining.

Poached pears with maple cinnamon granola

Try our recipe for cider poached pears with maple cinnamon granola, it makes an easy but delicious vegetarian dessert for four.

Pear salad recipes

Griddled pear, rocket and prosciutto salad

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

Pear salad with pickled grape, taleggio and walnuts

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

Pear, pecan and dolcelatte salad

A simple idea for a dinner party starter or quick recipe. Seasonal pears work brilliantly with pecan nuts and creamy dolcelatte blue cheese for this vegetarian no-cook dish, ready in 15 minutes.

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.

Savoury pear recipes

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

Catherine Wheel sausage with pears, cobnuts and celeriac mash

Check out this comforting sausage recipe with chipolatas and creamy celeriac mash. It’s not just the name that makes this dish perfect for a bonfire or firework party. The mix 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.

Winter-spiced pear cocktail

A minty fresh mojito no longer seems appropriate at this time of year and yet glass after glass of mulled wine can be a bit much. This winter-spiced pear cocktail bridges that gap perfectly, it’s light but the warming spices of star anise and cinnamon and the silky texture you get from the egg white make it a great seasonal alternative.