This candied spiced pears recipe is another in my series of posts in partnership with Imperial Sugar. I love working with this local sugar company. The recipe and opinions are (as always) my own!
Every year, someone lovely gives a box of pears. YOU KNOW THE ONES. I don’t eat a lot of pears, but these pears…oh my goodness. But after a week or so, the whole family is ready for a change. Last year I made Ginger Pear Muffins, which are fantastic. They were gone by day one.
This year I decided to try a Candied Spiced Pear recipe and served it over a tiny bundt cake. I think these candied pears would be phenomenal over ice cream as well. (I will also admit to eating the remains right out of the pan.)
- 1 pear
- 2 Tbs butter
- 1/4 cup Imperial Sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 6-8 chopped pecans
- shake of cinnamon
- sprinkle of cayenne
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and spray a small metal pan with nonstick spray. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. As the butter begins to melt, add the sugar and then the pears. Add the chopped pecans after the pears have cooked for a minute or two. Let simmer for a total of 4-5 minutes until the butter is frothy. Sprinkle the cinnamon and cayenne on top and remove from heat.
- Spread the mixture in the prepared pan and bake for 3-5 minutes until pears begin to brown. Remove and use while hot.
Pears simmering in butter, sugar, and with a sprinkle of cinnamon and cayenne (yes, CAYENNE) is about as amazing as it sounds. You really need the crunch of the pecans to offset the softness of the pears. This recipe reminds me of all the things you love about an apple crumble or pie, but the flavor profile of the pears plus that little zing of cayenne opens up a whole new world.
And if you’re thinking that you might just leave out the cayenne, DON’T. I mean it. Just a sprinkle. We aren’t talking fire here. We are talking about a tiny pinch. There is just something about a little bit of spice that rounds out the sweet. And these are definitely less spicy than my Chocolate Cayenne Cupcakes or the Spicy Pumpkin Bundt Cake. But if you like a bit of heat, try those too. But trust me when I say just a sprinkle of cayenne here. DO IT.
So, pears: are you in or are you out? How would you serve these Candied Spiced Pears?