Poached Pears with Chocolate Pear Sauce
Indulge in the elegance of Poached Pears with Chocolate Pear Sauce, a dessert that marries simplicity and sophistication in every bite. Ripe yet firm pears, like Bosc or Anjou, are gently poached in a fragrant bath of cinnamon, vanilla, and lemon-infused syrup until tender and luscious. The magic doesn’t stop there—reserved poaching liquid is transformed into a decadent chocolate sauce, enriched with velvety dark chocolate and a touch of cream, for a silky finish. This stunning dessert is perfect for dinner parties or romantic evenings, serving as a centerpiece that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Serve the pears warm or at room temperature, drizzled generously with the luxurious sauce, and garnish with whipped cream or nuts for added flair. Ideal for entertaining, this recipe is a showstopper that’s deceptively easy to prepare and guaranteed to impress.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 whole ripe but firm pears (e.g., Bosc or Anjou)
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 whole cinnamon stick
- 4 ounces dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher)
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact, and slice a small amount off the bottom so they can stand upright.
In a medium saucepan, combine water, sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and the cinnamon stick. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
Place the pears upright in the saucepan. Lower the heat to medium-low so the liquid is gently simmering. Cover the pears with a round of parchment paper to keep them submerged and poach for 20-25 minutes, or until the pears are tender when pierced with a knife.
Carefully remove the pears from the poaching liquid and set them aside on a plate to cool slightly.
Discard the cinnamon stick from the poaching liquid. Reserve 1 cup of the liquid to use in the sauce and save or discard the rest.
In a small saucepan, heat the reserved poaching liquid over medium-low heat. Add the dark chocolate, cocoa powder, heavy cream, and a pinch of salt, stirring constantly until the chocolate is melted and the sauce is smooth.
Serve the poached pears warm or at room temperature. Pour the chocolate pear sauce generously over each pear just before serving.
Optional: Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of chopped nuts for extra texture and flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2683 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 130.0 g | 167% | |
| Saturated Fat | 76.2 g | 381% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 240 mg | 80% | |
| Sodium | 280 mg | 12% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 368.2 g | 134% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 39.8 g | 142% | |
| Total Sugars | 296.6 g | ||
| Protein | 12.5 g | 25% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 239 mg | 18% | |
| Iron | 15.8 mg | 88% | |
| Potassium | 1768 mg | 38% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
