Spiced ginger poached pears are a quietly elegant dessert — simple in preparation yet refined in presentation. Infused with warming spice and delicate sweetness, they offer a beautiful balance of brightness and depth while allowing the fruit’s sweet natural flavours to shine. They’re also the perfect garnish for Ginger Basque Cheesecake.

Kitchen Tip: Reserve the leftover poaching liquid for pear cocktails or pear mocktails. (We like ours mixed with club soda and garnished with sliced fresh ginger.)

Why You’ll Love It

Elegant with minimal effort: A simple technique yields a versatile, elegant dessert.
Gently spiced: A simple technique yields a versatile, elegant dessert.
Versatile serving options: Delicious on its own or alongside cakes, cheesecakes and other creamy desserts.
Ideal for entertaining: Prepare in advance and serve with ease when guests arrive.

A slice of basque cheesecake topped with a poached pear on a clear plate.

Spiced Ginger Poached Pears

Soo Kim

These festive poached pears are great on their own or served alongside other treats, like the Ginger Basque Cheesecake.

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Ingredients

1¼ cups granulated sugar
4 green cardamom pods
3- in 8-cm piece ginger, thinly sliced
1 cinnamon stick
1 star anise
3 small firm pears

Instructions

Cut circle of parchment paper slightly smaller than base of medium pot; set aside.
In same pot over medium-high heat, combine sugar, cardamom pods, ginger, cinnamon stick, star anise and 4 cups water, and boil until sugar dissolves.
Meanwhile, peel pears, leaving stems intact. Using melon baller or teaspoon, core each pear through bottom.
Reduce heat so liquid is simmering. Add pears; place parchment paper circle overtop, pressing directly on pears. Place small lid or plate on top to keep pears submerged.
Return heat to simmer; cook until tender in centre when pierced with knife, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat; let cool in syrup, about 3 hours.

Notes

Tip: Take your poached pears even further by drizzling with eggnog or a cream-cheese glaze, or sift icing sugar overtop and serve with vanilla ice cream.
Tip: Save leftover poached pears in syrup in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Keyword Fruit Dessert, Holiday Recipes, Pear

What to pair with Spiced Ginger Poached Pears

A rectangular basque cheesecake with two slices taken out and topped with poached pears.

Ginger Basque Cheesecake

This unexpectedly simple recipe results in a mousse-like creamy filling and a striking caramelized surface—it has all the cheesecake goodness without the fuss of making a crust. Garnish with bruléed Spiced Ginger Poached Pears.

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