Easy Cinnamon Baked Pears with Walnuts

Cinnamon baked pears are a beautiful and healthy dessert. Sweet, soft, and covered in delicious cinnamon and chopped walnuts, this recipe is a great fall or Christmas dessert. Vegan, vegetarian, refined sugar-free, and gluten-free.

I never thought the pear got the recognition it deserved. It’s always apples and pumpkins dominating the dessert table every fall and winter holiday. There’s apple crisp, pumpkin pie, and these cinnamon baked apples – which inspired this new recipe.

But what about the pear? It’s just sitting in the produce section, not saying a word, hoping for someone to come along and include it in just one recipe. It’s pretty sad.

I don’t get it. Pears are a super healthy food, sweet like candy, and USA-grown pears are available year-round, which means they’re not just some finicky fall fruit. 

Well, this year, I’m making it my mission to speak out for this humble fruit. The pear deserves not just to be included in a dessert but a dessert all its own. Ladies and gentlemen, Easy Cinnamon Baked Pears with Walnuts!

Oh, and let me be clear: this ain’t no “participation trophy” dessert. This recipe is fantastic and is now officially my favorite fall dessert. Personally, I think it’s one of the most delicious recipes here at Shane & Simple.

If you’re looking for the perfect dessert, you can’t go wrong with these Easy Cinnamon Baked Pears. This simple recipe transforms ripe pears into a mouthwatering treat that’s perfect for the holiday season or any time you’re craving a delicious fall dessert.

What type of pear should I use for this recipe?

You can use a variety of pears with this cinnamon baked pears recipe, which is a great way to enjoy this simple dessert. 

• Bartlett: Bartlett pears are my favorite pears because they are soft, juicy, and sweet when ripe.
• Anjou: Anjou pears are good for baking and subtly sweet with a hint of tart.
• Bosc: Bosc pears are a deep brown and have a slightly rough peel. Firm and juicy, Bosc pears are well-suited for baking or poaching. 
• Comice: Comice pears were initially cultivated in France. Known as the sweetest of the pear variety, they are often shipped in gift boxes, and because of this, they're sometimes given the nickname "the Christmas pear."
• Asian: A large and juicy pear, Asian pears have a much higher water content than most other pear varieties. Because of this, Asian pears have a delicious texture when eaten raw but make them less suitable for baking. Which means they are not good for this recipe. 

Ingredients you’ll need

A few simple ingredients are all you need to make this quick and easy dessert. 

• pears (I used Bartlett pears for this recipe)
• ground cinnamon
• pure maple syrup (optional)
• lemon juice
• vanilla extract
• chopped walnuts (optional)

NOTE: exact amounts and a detailed list of ingredients are listed in the recipe card below the post.

How to make Cinnamon Baked Pears with Walnuts

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Pear Preparation: Cut your pears in half and remove the core using a melon baller or a small spoon. Keep each pear half with the skin side down and place them in a 9×13 baking dish. (NOTE: you could also use a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.)
3. Cinnamon Magic: Dust the pear halves evenly with the cinnamon.
4. Drizzle of Flavor: Top evenly with the maple syrup, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
5. Bake to Perfection: Flip the pears, cut side down, and bake for 25 minutes until they become fork tender. Once the initial cooking time has expired, carefully remove the pears from the oven, flip cut-side up, sprinkle with the walnuts, and bake for 5-6 minutes.
6. Serve and Enjoy: These warm, fragrant pears are fantastic on their own, but they’re even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (vegan, of course) or a dollop of my homemade whipped cream. Date caramel sauce can also be drizzled for an extra touch of decadence.

Storage (not freezer friendly)

This baked pear dessert is best enjoyed fresh. However, if you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep well for 3-4 days, though the texture and flavor may change once reheated in the microwave.

Variations

A great way to get creative with this recipe is by mixing things up a bit. Here are a few ideas:

• Pears: – It’s good to try other varieties of pears like Bosc, Anjou, or Comice for different flavors and textures.
• Spices: Cinnamon is not the only option. Adding ginger, nutmeg, and cloves with the cinnamon adds even more flavor. You could always use my DIY pumpkin spice as well.
• Sweetener: I prefer to stick with maple syrup, but a little maple sugar, brown sugar, or coconut sugar adds texture and more sweetness to the recipe. You could also leave the sweetener out of this recipe if you prefer.
• Toppings: This is a great recipe to experiment with different toppings like dried cranberries, raisins, maple pecans, and more. You can go as far as your mind will take you.

FAQ

More vegan holiday dessert recipes

• creamy chai spiced rice pudding
• vegan sweet potato pie
• the best vegan blueberry crisp
• cranberry apple crisp

This easy Cinnamon Baked Pears with Walnuts recipe is an excellent way to enjoy the natural sweetness of various pear varieties during the fall season. It’s a simple yet heavenly dessert that celebrates the delicious flavors of ripe pears.

If you make this recipe, please leave a comment with a star rating. Don't forget to share it on Facebook or Instagram. Tag me @shanandsimplecooking + #ShaneAndSimple! I love seeing your recreations🙂