The weather’s getting colder here in Atlanta, and all I want is to curl up under a blanket with good food and a movie. This morning I resisted staying in bed just long enough to share a cozy winter recipe that feels like a warm hug—even if you’re standing at the kitchen counter in your work clothes. Trust me, it’s worth it.
This recipe is for boozy poached pears finished with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of chopped pistachios. It’s indulgent yet surprisingly light—a perfect dessert to warm you up on chilly evenings.
Here’s how to make boozy poached pears at home.
Ingredients:
- 5 pears (Bartlett pears work well)
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey, plus extra for drizzling
- 1 vanilla bean
- 3 cups water
- 3/4 cup sweet white wine
- 1/2 cup chopped pistachios
Instructions:
1. Peel and core the pears, then set them aside.
2. In a saucepan combine the sugar, 2 tablespoons honey, the vanilla bean (split lengthwise to release the seeds), water, and sweet white wine. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then add the pears to the saucepan.
3. Cover the saucepan and simmer the pears over medium heat for about 20 minutes. They’re done when a knife slides into them easily but the pears still hold their shape.
4. Remove the pears from the heat and transfer to serving plates. Drizzle each pear with about a tablespoon of honey (or to taste) and sprinkle with chopped pistachios.
The pears are delicious on their own if you prefer something simpler, but the honey adds a gentle sweetness and the pistachios bring a pleasant crunch that complements the soft poached fruit. For an extra touch, serve the pears alongside vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Recipe by Anissa Saxton
Styling and photography by Brittni Mehlhoff
Will you try these boozy poached pears? How do you feel about the honey and pistachio combination—does it sound like your kind of dessert?