Spiced Wine-Poached Pears with Michigan Maple Cream
Tender pears gently poached in red wine infused with warm spices, finished with a luscious maple cream inspired by Michigan’s rich maple syrup tradition. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 45 minutes layers peeled and cored Bosc pears, dry red wine, maple syrup 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 220 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 cored Bosc pears
- 3 cups dry red wine
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 whole star anise
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp maple syrup (for cream)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 3 cups dry red wine, 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1 cinnamon stick, 4 whole cloves, 1 star anise, and 1 tsp lemon zest. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Step 2: Add 4 peeled and cored Bosc pears to the wine mixture, cover partially, and poach gently for 20-25 minutes until pears are tender when pierced with a knife.
- Step 3: Carefully remove pears with a slotted spoon and set aside. Increase heat to medium-high and reduce poaching liquid until syrupy and thickened, about 10 minutes.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, whip 1/2 cup heavy cream with 2 tbsp maple syrup and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
- Step 5: To serve, place each pear on a plate, drizzle with the reduced spiced wine syrup, and add a dollop of maple cream alongside.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Wine-Poached Pears with Michigan Maple Cream take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (10 min prep + 35 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 Spiced Wine-Poached Pears with Michigan Maple Cream?
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 Spiced Wine-Poached Pears with Michigan Maple Cream?
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 Spiced Wine-Poached Pears with Michigan Maple Cream 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 Spiced Wine-Poached Pears with Michigan Maple Cream?
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.
