Elegant yet easy, this recipe for Poached Bartlett Pears with Vanilla Ice Cream is the perfect way to celebrate pear season. Bartletts are naturally sweet, juicy, and delicately floral, which makes them ideal for soaking up the warm spiced syrup. Served with creamy vanilla ice cream, this dessert feels both cozy and sophisticated. Best of all, it serves 4, making it just right for sharing with family or friends.
Ingredients:
- 4 Bartlett pears (or any ripe, firm pear), peel each pear, but leave the stem intact for presentation
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2–3 whole cloves (optional)
- 1 strip lemon peel (or ½ tsp lemon juice)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for more robust flavor you can use a vanilla bean, and scrape the seeds into the water before simmering)
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Instructions:
- Make the syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine water, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and lemon peel. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring until sugar dissolves.
- Poach the pears: Add the peeled pears to the pot. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 15–20 minutes, turning pears occasionally, until tender but not mushy.
- Flavor it: Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and let pears sit in the syrup for at least 10 minutes to absorb flavor.
- Serve: Place warm pears in bowls, drizzle with extra syrup, and top with scoops of vanilla ice cream.
For a caramelized twist: After poaching, transfer pears to a skillet with 2–3 tablespoons butter and a few spoonfuls of syrup. Cook over medium heat until pears are lightly golden and the syrup turns glossy. Serve over ice cream with caramel-like sauce.
