Delicately spiced, luxuriously tender, and elegant enough for a dinner party yet comforting enough for a quiet evening at home, Spiced Poached Pears celebrate the artistry of classic French dessert—elevated by Maison Gabrielle’s hand-selected aromatics.

Gently poached in a fragrant syrup of juniper berries, cinnamon, star anise, and citrus peel, the pears absorb layers of warm, nuanced flavor while remaining perfectly tender. A touch of vanilla or a drizzle of the reduced syrup adds depth and sophistication, transforming humble fruit into a dessert that is both refined and comforting.

Perfect served warm with whipped cream or mascarpone, or chilled for an elegant finish, these spiced pears are a timeless treat that brings warmth, aroma, and a touch of winter magic to any table.

Cook Time & Servings

Ingredients

• 4 firm pears (Bosc or Anjou are best)
• 3 cups (750 ml) water
• 1 cup (200 g) sugar
• 6 dried Maison Gabrielle juniper berries (lightly crushed)
• 2 Maison Gabrielle cinnamon sticks
• 2 whole Maison Gabrielle star anise
• 1 strip of lemon or orange peel
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• Optional - 1 Maison Gabrielle Vanilla Bean

 Instructions

1. Make the Spiced Syrup

• In a saucepan large enough to hold the pears, combine water, sugar, juniper berries, cinnamon sticks, star anise, citrus peel, and lemon juice. Bring gently to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. (optional - vanilla bean for a sweeter syrup)

2. Poach the Pears

• Reduce heat to a simmer.
• Add the pears, making sure they are mostly submerged (you can lay parchment paper directly on top of them to help keep them under the liquid).
• Simmer gently for 20–25 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender when pierced with a knife.

3. Cool in Syrup

• Remove from heat. Let the pears cool in their spiced syrup for at least 30 minutes to absorb flavor. For deeper infusion, refrigerate them in the syrup for 1–2 hours.

4. Serve

• Serve warm or chilled, drizzled with some of the reduced syrup. Beautiful on their own, or with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or a dollop of mascarpone.

Bon appétit !

Chef’s Notes

For the most aromatic and flavorful poached pears, allow them to rest in the spiced syrup after cooking—this lets the juniper, cinnamon, star anise, and citrus peel fully infuse the fruit. Gently simmering keeps the pears tender but intact, while a brief chill in the refrigerator deepens the flavors. Serve warm for cozy comfort, or chilled for a refined, elegant dessert—either way, a drizzle of the reduced syrup elevates the dish to a show-stopping finale.