Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)
Quick Ingredients
- 2 ripe pears (about 7 oz / 200 g each)
- 1 tbsp (14 g) unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) pure maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp (7–10 g) chopped pecans or walnuts
- Pinch of fine salt
- Optional: 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- To serve: 1/2 cup (120 g) plain Greek yogurt or 1 cup (about 240 g) vanilla ice cream
Do This
- 1) Halve pears, scoop out cores, and place cut-side up in a microwave-safe dish.
- 2) Dot each pear with butter; drizzle on maple syrup, then sprinkle cinnamon and a pinch of salt.
- 3) Cover the dish (vented) and microwave on High for 4 minutes.
- 4) Check tenderness; microwave 1–2 minutes more if needed until a knife slides in easily.
- 5) Uncover carefully, spoon the syrupy juices over the pears, and rest 2 minutes.
- 6) Top with chopped nuts and serve warm with yogurt or ice cream.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Elegant dessert with everyday ingredients and a microwave-safe dish.
- Warm, cozy flavors: maple, cinnamon, buttery pear juices, and crunchy nuts.
- Ready in about 10 minutes with minimal cleanup.
- Easy to customize with different spices, toppings, or dairy-free options.
Grocery List
- Produce: 2 ripe pears
- Dairy: unsalted butter; plain Greek yogurt or vanilla ice cream
- Pantry: pure maple syrup; ground cinnamon; chopped pecans or walnuts; fine salt; optional vanilla extract
Full Ingredients
For the Microwave Cinnamon-Maple Pears
- Pears: 2 ripe pears (about 7 oz / 200 g each), preferably Bartlett, Anjou, or Bosc
- Butter: 1 tbsp (14 g) unsalted butter
- Maple syrup: 2 tbsp (30 ml) pure maple syrup
- Cinnamon: 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Nuts: 1 tbsp (7–10 g) chopped pecans or walnuts
- Salt: 1 pinch fine salt
- Optional: 1/4 tsp vanilla extract (stir into the syrup after cooking for extra aroma)
For Serving (Choose One)
- Yogurt option: 1/2 cup (120 g) plain Greek yogurt (about 1/4 cup per serving)
- Ice cream option: 1 cup (about 240 g) vanilla ice cream (about 1/2 cup per serving)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the pears
Wash and dry the pears. Slice each pear in half lengthwise. Using a teaspoon or melon baller, scoop out the core and seeds to create a small well (this is where the buttery maple syrup will collect).
Place the pear halves cut-side up in a microwave-safe dish that holds them snugly (an 8-inch square dish or shallow bowl works well). Keeping them close together helps them steam and soften evenly.
Step 2: Add butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt
Divide the butter into four small pieces and place one piece in the hollow of each pear half.
Drizzle the maple syrup evenly over the pears (and into the wells), then sprinkle with the cinnamon and a pinch of fine salt. The salt is small but important; it makes the maple and pear flavor taste more vivid.
Step 3: Cover and microwave
Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plate. If using plastic wrap, leave a small vent so steam can escape. Microwave on High (100% power) for 4 minutes.
Microwave note: This timing is based on a 1000-watt microwave. If yours is lower wattage, you may need a little extra time.
Step 4: Check for tenderness and finish cooking
Carefully remove the cover (watch for hot steam). Test a pear with the tip of a paring knife: it should slide in with little resistance, similar to a baked apple.
If the pears still feel firm, cover again and microwave in 1-minute bursts until tender, typically 1 to 2 minutes more (total cook time 4 to 6 minutes).
Step 5: Baste, rest, and add nuts
Use a spoon to scoop up the melted butter-maple juices from the bottom of the dish and spoon them over the pears. Let the pears rest, uncovered, for 2 minutes. This short rest helps them finish softening and lets the syrup thicken slightly.
Sprinkle the chopped nuts over the pears. If using vanilla extract, stir 1/4 tsp into the hot syrupy juices now, then spoon over the pears.
Step 6: Serve warm
Serve one pear (two halves) per person. Add a generous dollop of Greek yogurt for a tangy, creamy contrast, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic warm-and-cold dessert. Spoon any extra cinnamon-maple sauce from the dish over the top right before serving.
Pro Tips
- Choose pears that are ripe but not mushy: They should give slightly near the stem. Overripe pears can collapse quickly in the microwave.
- Use the right dish: A snug, shallow microwave-safe dish encourages gentle steaming so the pears get tender without drying out.
- Adjust for microwave wattage: If your microwave is 700–900 watts, expect closer to 6–8 minutes total, checking every minute after the first 4.
- Toast the nuts (optional but excellent): Toast pecans/walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes, then chop. Add them after microwaving so they stay crisp.
- Don’t skip the rest: Two minutes of resting makes the pears softer and the sauce slightly thicker and more glossy.
Variations
- Brown sugar version: Replace maple syrup with 1 1/2 tbsp (18 g) packed light brown sugar plus 1 tbsp (15 ml) water.
- Spiced winter pears: Add 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg and a tiny pinch of ground cloves or ginger along with the cinnamon.
- Dairy-free: Use 1 tbsp (14 g) coconut oil instead of butter and serve with coconut yogurt or a dairy-free vanilla ice cream.
Storage & Make-Ahead
Store leftover cooked pears (with their syrupy juices) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave on High for 30 to 45 seconds per serving, just until warmed through. For best texture, add nuts and yogurt/ice cream right before serving.
You can prep the pears (halve and core) up to 24 hours in advance; store in the fridge in a covered container. To prevent browning, lightly brush cut surfaces with lemon juice.
Nutrition (per serving)
Approximate, using Greek yogurt (1/4 cup per serving): 235 calories; 8 g fat; 42 g carbohydrates; 5 g protein; 6 g fiber; 30 g sugars; 75 mg sodium.
