Cinnamon-Spiced Poached Pears in Red Wine
Tender pears gently poached in a fragrant red wine and cinnamon syrup, served warm or chilled for an elegant dessert. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 60 minutes layers red wine, granulated sugar, cinnamon sticks into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 medium, peeled, halved, and cored firm pears
- 3 cups red wine
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 3 strips lemon zest strips
- 1, split lengthwise vanilla bean
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large saucepan, combine 3 cups red wine, 1 cup granulated sugar, 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 whole cloves, 3 strips lemon zest, 1 split vanilla bean, and 1 cup water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
- Step 2: Add 4 peeled, halved, and cored pears to the simmering liquid, making sure they are mostly submerged. Reduce heat to low and poach the pears gently for 25-30 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.
- Step 3: Carefully remove pears with a slotted spoon and set aside to cool slightly. Increase heat to medium-high and boil the poaching liquid until it reduces by half and thickens to a syrupy consistency, about 15 minutes.
- Step 4: Discard cinnamon sticks, cloves, lemon zest, and vanilla bean from the syrup. Serve poached pears drizzled with warm red wine syrup, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cinnamon-Spiced Poached Pears in Red Wine take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (10 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Cinnamon-Spiced Poached Pears in Red Wine?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cinnamon-Spiced Poached Pears in Red Wine?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cinnamon-Spiced Poached Pears in Red Wine for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cinnamon-Spiced Poached Pears in Red Wine?
French desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
