Swiss Pears
Indulge in the delicate elegance of Swiss Pears, a dessert that brings together the natural sweetness of poached pears and the luxurious creaminess of homemade vanilla custard. Perfectly poached in a fragrant mixture of cinnamon, sugar, and zesty lemon, the pears emerge tender yet beautifully intact, their subtle flavors elevated by the gentle spicing. The rich, velvety custard—crafted with egg yolks, heavy cream, and a hint of vanilla—wraps each pear in a decadent embrace, creating a symphony of textures and tastes. With its blend of simplicity and sophistication, this recipe is ideal for entertaining or savoring a quiet, indulgent treat at home. Ready in just under an hour, Swiss Pears is a crowd-pleasing masterpiece that showcases the best of fall and winter desserts.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 whole ripe but firm pears
- 500 ml water
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
- 200 ml heavy cream
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact, and core the bottom to remove the seeds without cutting through the fruit.
In a medium saucepan, combine water, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and ground cinnamon. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
Add the pears to the saucepan and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and poach the pears for 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender but still intact. Remove pears from the saucepan and allow them to cool slightly.
In a separate small bowl, whisk the egg yolks, vanilla extract, and cornstarch until smooth.
In another small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over low-medium heat until warm but not boiling. Gradually stir a few tablespoons of the heated cream into the egg yolk mixture to temper it, then whisk the mixture back into the saucepan with the cream.
Cook the custard gently over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
To serve, place a poached pear on a plate or shallow bowl. Drizzle generously with the warm custard and sprinkle with a pinch of ground cinnamon for garnish. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1614 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 77.0 g | 99% | |
| Saturated Fat | 43.6 g | 218% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 569 mg | 190% | |
| Sodium | 107 mg | 5% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 220.2 g | 80% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 24.9 g | 89% | |
| Total Sugars | 169.5 g | ||
| Protein | 8.0 g | 16% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.9 mcg | 5% | |
| Calcium | 156 mg | 12% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 907 mg | 19% | |
*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.
