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    Home » Diet » Gluten Free Recipes

    Cranberry Poached Pears

    5 from 2 votes
    Posted December 10, 2016 (last updated November 2, 2020) by Wendy Polisi

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    This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Simplicity and elegance collide with these easy to make Cranberry Poached Pears. This simple dessert makes a statement on your holiday table! With just a handful of ingredients, this gluten-free dessert is a great way to wow your guests without a lot of effort. Serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt and prepare for compliments all around.

    cranberry-spice-poached-pears_16

    It has been one of THOSE weeks around here.

    As a write this, I've got a sleeping baby (ok, preschooler) laying about 5 feet from me.

    All three of the kids have been sick this week.

    cranberry-spice-poached-pears


    While I am certainly grateful that I've remained healthy, it has been a trying week for sure.

    Skye is usually the sweetest sick kid. Early this week she was.

    cranberry-spice-poached-pears_1
    cranberry-spice-poached-pears_2


    It is hard to believe it, but this is the first time that she has been sick more than a couple of days. By the time we got to the end of this week, she was getting cranky.

    By this morning, my little gremlin was running around the house saying as loud as her poor little voice would go "I'm SO MAD!"

    I asked her what she was mad about.

    She told me she was mad at me. Hmmm...ok. I'd just made her breakfast, so I assumed she wasn't happy with it.

    cranberry-spice-poached-pears_4


    Then she marched upstairs and told her brothers she was mad at them.

    This went on for hours - with her loudly proclaiming that she was mad every ten minutes or so.

    cranberry-spice-poached-pears_5


    This behavior could not be more out of character.

    cranberry-spice-poached-pears_6

    Normally, if you ask Skye how she's doing her reply will be "I'm HAPPY".

    cranberry-spice-poached-pears_7

    There is nothing quite so pitiful as a three-year-old who is mad at the world because she doesn't feel good.

    Mercifully, she finally let go this afternoon and took her first nap of the week.

    cranberry-spice-poached-pears_8

    Here's to hoping she wakes up feeling better!

    In fact, let's go ahead and celebrate her feeling better, ok?

    cranberry-spice-poached-pears_9
    cranberry-spice-poached-pears_10


    Positive thinking always works.

    So let's celebrate with these poached pears.

    cranberry-spice-poached-pears_11

    These Cranberry Poached Pears have just six ingredients and make the perfect elegant dessert for your fall and winter entertaining.

    cranberry-spice-poached-pears_12

    Fruit desserts are always a favorite of mine, and these are just fabulous.

    cranberry-spice-poached-pears_13
    cranberry-spice-poached-pears_14

    They are perfect when you want a holiday dessert that feels luxurious but won't weigh you down.

    I hope that you and your family are enjoying a happy and healthy holiday season.

    I know I am looking forward to the same around here.

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    If you like this recipe don't forget to leave a 5 star rating and let me know how it went in the below comments, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, Instagram, and PINTEREST to see all my delicious recipes.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Cranberry Poached Pears

    These Cranberry Poached Pears make an elegant dessert for entertaining!  The perfect healthier dessert for the holidays.
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time45 mins
    Total Time1 hr
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American, Gluten Free, Healthy
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 249kcal
    Author: Wendy Polisi

    Ingredients

    • 4 pears
    • 1 cup dried cranberries
    • 1 cup boiling water
    • 4 small cinnamon sticks
    • Peel of ½ a small lemon
    • 4 tablespoon fine sugar
    • 1 vanilla chai teabag I used Bigelow

    Instructions

    • Cover cranberries with boiling water, allow to rehydrate for 15 minutes. Set aside.
    • Peel pears, place in a saucepan the correct size for pears to fit snugly and not fall over.
    • Add remaining ingredients and cranberries.
    • Cover with water until pears are just covered.
    • Bring saucepan to a boil over high heat and then reduce heat, simmering pears for 10-15 minutes until tender.
    • Remove pears from saucepan and place in serving bowls.
    • Reduce sauce over high heat for 5-10 minutes until slightly thickened.
    • Allow sauce and pears to cool, then serve garnished with cinnamon stick.
    • If desired, serve with freshly whipped cream or vanilla greek yogurt.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 233mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 49g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 7.7mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 0.8mg

    Filed Under:

    Dessert RecipesGluten Free RecipesHoliday Recipes

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    About Wendy Polisi

    Hi, I’m Wendy! I’m a cook, 5 time cookbook author, blogger, natural health enthusiast…and most importantly a mom. My boys are 16 & 17 and my late life princess is 9.

    Reader Interactions

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      Rating




    1. V

      December 12, 2016 at 8:49 pm

      Those look absolutely heavenly! My family loves cranberries and I know this would be a big hit in our family. I am definitely going to try it.

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        December 13, 2016 at 1:38 pm

        Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy it.

        Reply
    2. Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle

      December 12, 2016 at 8:56 pm

      Those sound so good! l will definitely be serving this at our Christmas dinner. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        December 13, 2016 at 1:38 pm

        I hope you enjoy it Stacie!

        Reply
    3. Amanda @bephoenixfit

      December 13, 2016 at 2:09 am

      Those pears look delicious! Hope your family is on the mend soon!

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        December 13, 2016 at 1:37 pm

        Thanks so much Amanda. Everyone is much better today.

        Reply
    4. Kerri Olkjer

      December 13, 2016 at 3:47 am

      Poor baby, hope she's feeling better! The recipe looks amazing.

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        December 13, 2016 at 1:37 pm

        Thanks so much Kerri - she is is finally better.

        Reply
    5. Rebecca Swenor

      December 13, 2016 at 11:10 am

      These cranberry poached pears are something I will have to try. I would never have thought about this kind of a dessert but it would be a great idea. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        December 13, 2016 at 1:37 pm

        Hope you enjoy it Rebecca!

        Reply
    6. Debra @ Traveling Well For Les

      December 13, 2016 at 4:53 pm

      LOL, your daughter sounds like a riot. Hope she starts feeling better soon. And those cranberry poached pears look amazing.

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        December 13, 2016 at 6:01 pm

        She is a pistol! We enjoy her so.

        --
        Wendy Polisi

        Reply
    7. Our Family World

      December 13, 2016 at 7:29 pm

      Pear is one of my favorite. Sounds so delicious to make your recipe.. Yummy!

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        December 15, 2016 at 11:21 am

        I adore pears too! I need to cook with them more.

        Reply
    8. Dawn Gibson-Thigpen

      December 13, 2016 at 8:51 pm

      those cranberry poached pears look amazing. i never heard of them until and now and would love to try them.

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        December 15, 2016 at 11:21 am

        Let me know how it goes if you try it!

        Reply
    9. CourtneyLynne Storms

      December 13, 2016 at 8:53 pm

      Omg can we say yum?!? These pears look absolutely delicious!!! Must give your recipe a try

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        December 15, 2016 at 11:21 am

        I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    10. Amanda Simkin

      December 13, 2016 at 9:05 pm

      What an elegant dessert! I love hosting a nice New Year's Eve dinner party and I would love to include this on my menu. Thanks for the inspiration!

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        December 15, 2016 at 11:20 am

        It would be perfect for New Year's Eve!

        Reply
    11. Run For Life

      December 13, 2016 at 9:12 pm

      I hope your daughter feels better. My son is sick today too. Of course, he acts fine but dr said it was likely sinus infection and covering for bronchitis/pneumonia.

      Those pears look amazing.

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        December 15, 2016 at 11:19 am

        She woke up from her nap much better! I hope your son gets well soon.

        Reply
    12. Stephanay Jnote

      December 13, 2016 at 11:00 pm

      This sounds like a really good dish. I love pears and cranberries a like. Might try this one out.

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        December 15, 2016 at 11:18 am

        Let me know how it goes if you try it!

        Reply
    13. ♥Nancy♥

      December 14, 2016 at 1:25 am

      This looks absolutely beautiful and delicious! I love your photos. I have to try and make this for when I'm entertaining hubby's clients. It looks so opulent and classy! 🙂

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        December 15, 2016 at 11:17 am

        Thanks so much Nancy!

        Reply
    14. Lynn Dee

      December 14, 2016 at 2:11 pm

      Oh yum! That looks divine! Yup, positive thinking always works and here's to your 3-year-old feeling a lot better soon.

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        December 15, 2016 at 11:16 am

        You are so right - positive thinking is such a powerful thing in our lives. She DID wake up better.

        Reply
    15. Jacqui Odell

      December 14, 2016 at 7:02 pm

      That sounds so yummy!! I never thought about doing pears this way, but I might try it!

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        December 15, 2016 at 11:12 am

        Let me know how it goes if you do Jacqui!

        Reply
    16. Lisa Marie Heath

      December 14, 2016 at 7:54 pm

      My son is usually a cuddly kid when sick and has never said he was mad at me (yet... he's 10 so I know it's coming)

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        December 15, 2016 at 11:12 am

        I am pretty sure that my 10 year old has been mad at me many, many times. 🙂 I always tell them it isn't my job to be their friend, it is my job to raise them to be responsible adults.

        Skye is a very cuddly kid too, and usually amazing when she is sick. She had just never been sick this long and by the last day was super-frustrated and too little to really articulate it with anything other than that she was mad.

        Reply
    17. Adriana

      December 15, 2016 at 1:12 am

      Wow these look delicious!!! I love pears, I need to try this out! I bet it's holiday perfection! 🙂

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        December 15, 2016 at 11:05 am

        Thanks Adriana - hope you enjoy.

        Reply
    18. Gabriel Bregg

      December 15, 2016 at 1:15 am

      Nothing quite like a hangry toddler. We sometimes get hit with three of them if we dawdle over meal prep and it's ugly.

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        December 15, 2016 at 11:05 am

        Oh wow...three toddlers can't be easy at any time. 🙂 The boys kept me on my toes when they were both toddlers for sure.

        Reply
    19. Wendy Polisi

      December 15, 2016 at 11:22 am

      Thanks Kathy! Let me know how it goes if you try it!

      Reply
    20. Wendy Polisi

      December 15, 2016 at 3:16 pm

      I hope you enjoy Terri!

      *Wendy Polisi*

      *https://wendypolisi.com *

      Reply
    21. Eloise Maoudj Riley

      December 15, 2016 at 4:54 pm

      mmm mmm that looks good... I know for a fact everyone in my family would LOVE this! thanks for the step by step photos on how to make this : )

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        December 15, 2016 at 5:28 pm

        I’d love to know how it goes if you give it a try!

        *Wendy Polisi*

        *https://wendypolisi.com *

        Reply
    22. Shannon Graham

      August 24, 2017 at 9:53 pm

      5 stars
      I don't think I've ever had a pear outside of just a normal pear! This looks like a delicious and creative way to prepare one!

      Reply
    23. Johnetta Crumpton

      November 25, 2022 at 1:12 am

      5 stars
      I made this for Thanksgiving and tweaked it a little…Instead of Chai tea I used cranberry juice. It was so good. Thanks for this delicious treat!

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        November 30, 2022 at 3:46 pm

        I am so glad that you enjoyed it. I am going to try this with the tea!

        Reply

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