Kosher Wine Poached Pears with Vanilla and Cinnamon

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pears poached gently in kosher red wine with warm vanilla and cinnamon notes, ideal for an elegant dessert. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 50 minutes layers medium, peeled and halved Bosc pears, kosher red wine, granulated sugar 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 French cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large saucepan, combine 3 cups kosher red wine, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 split vanilla bean, 1 large cinnamon stick, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 cup water, and 1 star anise if using. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 peeled and halved Bosc pears to the simmering liquid, ensuring they are mostly submerged.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to low and poach the pears for 25-30 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender when pierced with a knife.
  4. Step 4: Carefully remove pears with a slotted spoon and set aside to cool slightly.
  5. Step 5: Increase heat and boil the poaching liquid for another 10 minutes until it thickens to a syrup consistency.
  6. Step 6: Remove vanilla bean, cinnamon stick, and star anise from the syrup.
  7. Step 7: Serve pears drizzled with the reduced wine syrup, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Kosher Wine Poached Pears with Vanilla and Cinnamon take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (10 min prep + 40 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 Kosher Wine Poached Pears with Vanilla and Cinnamon?

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 Kosher Wine Poached Pears with Vanilla and Cinnamon?

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 Kosher Wine Poached Pears with Vanilla and Cinnamon 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 Kosher Wine Poached Pears with Vanilla and Cinnamon?

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.

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