This 5-ingredient oven baked pear dessert is the kind of easy fall recipe that saves the day when you want something warm and homemade without peeling, slicing, or fussing over a long ingredient list. Using frozen raw pear slices makes it especially practical for busy weeknights, and the pears bake down into a soft, jammy filling under a simple buttery topping made from pantry staples. It has that comforting baked-fruit dessert feel somewhere between a crisp and a cobbler, with very little effort.
Serve this warm on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt if you like desserts a little less sweet. It also pairs nicely with hot coffee, chai, or apple cider, and for a cozy brunch-style treat, you can even spoon it over oatmeal or pancakes the next morning.
5-Ingredient Oven Baked Pear Dessert
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 bag frozen raw pear slices, about 20 to 24 ounces
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 box yellow cake mix, about 13.25 to 15.25 ounces
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch oven-safe glass baking dish.
2. Dump the frozen pear slices straight into the baking dish and spread them into an even layer.
3. Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over the pears.
4. Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the top, covering the pears as much as possible.
5. Drizzle the melted butter all over the cake mix, trying to moisten as much of the surface as you can.
6. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, until the pears are tender and bubbly and the top is golden brown. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Variations & Tips
Add nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts add a little crunch and make this dessert feel even more like a pear crisp. Sprinkle about 1/2 cup over the cake mix before adding the butter.
Use spice cake mix: If you have spice cake mix in the pantry, it works beautifully here and gives the dessert an even warmer fall flavor without adding extra ingredients.
Watch for dry spots: If you notice patches of dry cake mix halfway through baking, drizzle on 1 to 2 more tablespoons of melted butter. That helps the top bake up more evenly and golden.
Make it ahead: Bake it earlier in the day and rewarm it loosely covered with foil in a low oven before serving. This is a great option when you are juggling dinner, homework, and everything else on a busy evening.
Try other frozen fruit: This same method works well with frozen apples, peaches, or a pear-berry blend if you want to switch things up while keeping the recipe just as easy.