Lavender & Honey Poached Pears with Vanilla Crème

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

Elegant poached pears infused with garden lavender and honey, served with a light vanilla crème for a sophisticated dessert. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 50 minutes layers Bosc 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 410 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.

★ 4.3 (12 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 French cuisine 410 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 1/2 cup honey, 1 tsp culinary lavender buds, 1/2 scraped vanilla bean seeds, and 1 tbsp lemon juice with 1 cup water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until honey dissolves.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 peeled and cored Bosc pears to the saucepan, ensuring they're submerged. Simmer for 20-25 minutes until pears are tender when pierced with a fork, turning occasionally.
  3. Step 3: Remove pears with a slotted spoon and let cool in syrup for 30 minutes. Strain syrup through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding lavender and vanilla pod.
  4. Step 4: Whip 1 cup heavy cream with 2 tbsp powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Fold in 2 tbsp reserved poaching syrup.
  5. Step 5: Slice pears and serve with a dollop of vanilla crème, drizzling with remaining poaching syrup before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Lavender & Honey Poached Pears with Vanilla Crème take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (25 min prep + 25 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 Lavender & Honey Poached Pears with Vanilla Crème?

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 Lavender & Honey Poached Pears with Vanilla Crème?

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 Lavender & Honey Poached Pears with Vanilla Crème 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 Lavender & Honey Poached Pears with Vanilla Crème?

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

Related recipes