This 5-ingredient oven baked pear dessert is the kind of simple treat that feels a little old-fashioned in the best possible way. Using canned pear halves makes it easy to pull together on a busy day, and a few pantry staples turn them into a warm, sweet dessert with hardly any fuss. It is a wonderful choice when you want something cozy and budget-friendly that still feels special enough to set on the table after supper.
Serve these baked pears warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a spoonful of whipped cream, or a little drizzle of heavy cream. If you are making it for company, it also pairs nicely with shortbread cookies, toasted nuts, or a mug of coffee or hot tea. For a family-style dessert, I like to spoon some of the sweet syrup from the pan over each pear half right before serving.
5-Ingredient Oven Baked Pear Dessert
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 cans pear halves in syrup, undrained
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Pour the canned pear halves with their syrup into an oven-safe metal roasting pan and spread them into a single layer, cut side up when possible.
2. Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over the pears, then dot the top with the butter pieces.
3. Scatter the chopped pecans over everything, making sure a few land in the syrup so they toast and soak up flavor as the dessert bakes.
4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, spooning some of the hot syrup over the pears once halfway through, until the pears are heated through and the syrup is lightly thickened.
5. Let the dessert rest for 5 minutes before serving. Spoon the pears and warm syrup into bowls and serve as is or with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Variations & Tips
Kid-Friendly Version: Leave out the pecans if you need a nut-free or picky-eater option. The pears will still bake up soft, sweet, and delicious with just the buttery cinnamon syrup.
Extra Cozy Flavor: Add a small pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice along with the cinnamon if you want a deeper spiced flavor. It gives the dessert a holiday feel without making the recipe complicated.
Crunchy Topping: If you like a little more texture, sprinkle a few tablespoons of old-fashioned oats over the top before baking. They soak up some of the syrup and create an easy cobbler-style finish.
Make It Prettier for Guests: Arrange the pear halves neatly with the rounded sides down and the cut sides facing up before baking. That way they hold the buttery sugar mixture nicely and look especially lovely when served.
Storage Tip: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or warm them in a low oven so the syrup loosens up again before serving.