Pears are a naturally sweet stone fruit that works well in a variety of desserts. Pear tarts, cakes, and cobblers are just a few of the many desserts that can be made with this fruit. In the summer, a grilled pear with ice cream is a simple pear dessert, and fruit pudding is a popular cold-weather dessert.
A pear tart is made with a butter crust and a filling of firm, sweet pears; the Bosc variety is the most popular. The pears are layered into the shell with lemon juice, corn starch, brown sugar, and spices. The tart is then baked with the edges of the crust folded over the filling. The end result is a rustic, lightly sweet dessert.
Pears can be used to make upside down cakes, which are commonly made with pineapple. To make a base for the cake batter, a caramel sauce is spread on the bottom of a cake pan, and sliced pears are fanned out. The pear dessert is baked after the batter is poured over the fruit, then inverted onto a serving dish once cool. The end result is a sweet, impressive-looking dessert.
One of the simplest ways to prepare pears is to make a cobbler. A pear filling is layered over a basic pastry shell, then baked until bubbly. Cobblers can be made entirely of pears or with any combination of fruits. This dessert is frequently served with ice cream and, depending on the topping ingredients, can be a relatively healthy pear dessert without sacrificing flavor.
In order to keep the house cool during the summer, many people avoid turning on their stove or oven; with that in mind, grilling pears is a good way to enjoy a warm dessert without heating up the house. The fruit is cut in half and the pit is removed for this pear dessert. The pear halves are then placed on a charcoal or gas grill with a light brushing of oil and any number of seasonings until the outside of the fruit begins to caramelize. The fruit’s natural sweetness is enhanced by the grill, which gives it a slightly smoky flavor, resulting in an intriguing yet simple dessert. Grilled pears are a great addition to a barbecue when served with very cold ice cream.
A comforting pear dessert is a baked fruit pudding made with pears. A pear pudding, made with pears, sugar, butter, and flour, can be simple or complex; chocolate or vanilla are common additions to this pear dessert. Other stone fruits are sometimes added to make a mixed fruit pudding.