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Chinese Five Spice Poached Pears

Categories Dairy free, Dessert, Easy Recipes, Vegan/Vegetarian

These Chinese Five Spice Poached Pears are super elegant and fancy even though they are really easy to make! I first created this recipe a few years ago when teaching a class on spices. I made homemade cinnamon ice cream and served it along side these pears with some rum spiced caramel sauce. It was a huge hit!

The recipe for my rum spice caramel sauce is right HERE.

This recipe would also be great with a crumble of granola or crumble topping with oats, butter, sugar and spices on the side and would make it taste like a rich and deconstructed pear crumble. Yum. These pears are definitely delicious on their own too.

What you need to make these Chinese five spice poached pears:

Serves 6
  • 4 pears – peeled, any variety
  • 2 cups apple cider
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon Chinese five spice 
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice 
  • optional – lemon rind

Instructions

  1. Peel pears but leave stem connected.
  2. In a large stock pot add all ingredients and bring liquid to a boil.
  3. Add pears and reduce to a low boil. Boil for 30-35 minutes or until pears are soft enough to pierce a fork through.
  4. Suggested ways to serve – along side ice cream, rum spiced caramel sauce, crumble topping or granola or pomegranates. 
  5. Enjoy! 

Full printable recipe is below.

Here are a few other pear desserts you may love:

Spiced Pear and Walnut Gallette – click pictures for recipe link

Pear Butter:

pear butter in a bowl with pears in the background

Pear Berry Citrus Smoothie:

Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Chinese Five Spice Poached Pears

Elegant and delicious poached pears that taste like a decadent pear crumble or crisp.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Dessert, Spice
Cuisine: Dessert, Fruit
Keyword: Christmas, Dessert, Easy Recipes, Fall, Fruit, Thanksgiving, Vegan
Servings: 4 pears

Ingredients

  • 4 pears any variety
  • 2 cups apple cider
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon Chinese Five Spice
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
  • 1 lemon rind optional

Instructions

  • Peel pears but leave stem connected.
  • In a large stock pot add all ingredients and bring liquid to a boil.
  • Add pears and reduce to a low boil. Boil for 30-35 minutes or until pears are soft enough to pierce a fork through.
  • Suggested ways to serve – along side ice cream, rum spiced caramel sauce, crumble topping or granola or pomegranates.
  • Enjoy!