Cozy Cinnamon Vanilla Pears: Easy 15-Minute Fall Dessert
A quick, 15-minute skillet dessert featuring tender, caramelized pears with cinnamon and vanilla. This simple recipe delivers maximum comfort with minimal effort, perfect for busy weeknights or cozy evenings.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium ripe pears (Bosc or Anjou preferred), cored and sliced into 1/2-inch wedges
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 pinch flaky sea salt
- Optional toppings: vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or crushed pecans
Instructions
- Wash pears and slice them into 1/2-inch thick wedges, removing the core. Keep slices uniform for even cooking.
- Heat a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and melt completely until foaming and just starting to turn golden (about 2 minutes).
- Add brown sugar and cinnamon to the melted butter. Whisk together for 30 seconds until the sugar dissolves and creates a bubbling paste.
- Gently add pear slices to the pan in a single layer. Sprinkle with lemon juice and salt.
- Cook undisturbed for 2 minutes until edges turn translucent and golden.
- Flip pears gently and cook for another 2-3 minutes until tender but not mushy.
- Remove from heat and transfer to a serving bowl, spooning remaining sauce over the top.
- Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
Ensure pears are ripe but firm; underripe pears will stay hard, while overripe ones may turn to mush. Do not overcrowd the pan to avoid steaming. For best results, serve immediately while warm. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently in a skillet.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pear half with sau
- Calories: 175
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 50
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 26
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 1
Keywords: cinnamon pears, vanilla pears, quick dessert, fall dessert, skillet dessert, easy recipe, gluten-free dessert, comfort food