Honey-Lavender Poached Pears
Elegant, delicate pears simmered in a fragrant honey-lavender syrup, served with vanilla bean ice cream for a sophisticated yet simple dessert. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 25 minutes layers peeled and halved Bartlett pears, honey, lavender buds 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 320 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, peeled and halved Bartlett pears
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tsp lavender buds
- 1/2, split and seeds scraped vanilla bean
- 1 cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 scoops vanilla bean ice cream
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 1/2 cup honey, 1 tsp dried lavender buds, 1/2 scraped vanilla bean seeds, 1 cinnamon stick, and 1 cup water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat for 5 minutes to infuse flavors, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 4 peeled, halved pears to the syrup, ensuring they’re submerged. Simmer gently for 12-15 minutes until pears are tender but still hold their shape—test by piercing with a fork.
- Step 3: Remove cinnamon stick and lavender buds with a slotted spoon. Continue simmering the syrup for 2 more minutes until slightly thickened. Carefully remove pears with a slotted spoon and arrange on plates.
- Step 4: Spoon the warm syrup over each pear, then top with 1 scoop vanilla bean ice cream. Serve immediately while the pears are warm and ice cream is soft.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Lavender Poached Pears take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Honey-Lavender Poached Pears?
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 Honey-Lavender Poached Pears?
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 Honey-Lavender Poached Pears 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 Honey-Lavender Poached Pears?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★★
Love how the French come through in every bite.
