Maple and Cardamom Spiced Pears with Pecans
It’s obvious that I’m obsessing with pumpkin recipes this fall. The other things I’m obsessing over – cardamom and pears. Sweet juicy pears. And guess what? Logan is eating the pears too! That might not seem like an accomplishment to most of you, but he’s extremely picky. Any new food we can get him to try – and like – is worth celebrating in our house.
And not just picky, but also extremely cautious. Just getting him to try a bite of something is an emotional ordeal. It was weeks before he’d willingly eat a pear with no complaints. And now, given the choice, he’ll actually ask for one. At this rate, he’s going to be 100 before he eats as wide of a variety of foods as I do. But like all moms, I’m trying to focus on the baby steps he makes along the way. This picky eating thing has certainly been a journey for us.
These Maple and Cardamom Spiced Pears with Pecans are an amazing snack. I love the caramelized pears with the fall spices and the sweetness of real maple syrup – don’t skimp there! The pecans go perfect, too. I’m getting hungry just writing about it! The best thing – this recipe is super fast. And look how pretty it is? Impressive recipe, delicious taste, no time…sounds like a winner to me!
Logan doesn’t appreciate the intricacies of flavors such as these, but I’m glad he’s now able to enjoy a juicy pear sliced into wedges. I used bartlett pears because that’s what I had, but I’d really love to try Starkrimson. I had the opportunity to try them this past weekend and I think they were the best pear I’ve ever had. This is actually, in my mind, a rather healthy recipe that seems much more like a dessert than a snack. If you really want to go dessert with it, serve with vanilla ice cream instead of yogurt.

Ingredients:
1 large ripe but firm pear, peeled and chopped
1 teaspoon butter
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 handful pecan halves, about 1/4 cup
Vanilla Honey Greek Yogurt or Vanilla Ice Cream
Directions:
Melt the butter in a saute pan over medium high heat. Add the pears, cinnamon, cardamom, and syrup and saute for 3 minutes, until fragrant and warm. Stir in pecans. Serve warm over yogurt. Or with granola and yogurt. For dessert, serve on top of vanilla ice cream.
Note: You could also roast the pears in a similar manner to the method in my Roasted Nectarines recipe.
I think both my boys would love these pears! They would be a great breakfast on top of some plain yogurt with granola. YUM!
This looks fantastic. I bought a flat of pears this week because you’ve been tempting me all week.
These look mouth-wateringly amazing. And I adore your pear photo.
What a simple, beautiful dessert/breakfast. Pears and cardamom are a match made in heaven and I can imagine that the maple is a great addition. Yay for Logan and his new-found love of pears!
This sound so wonderful and would pair well SO many things!
mmmm i could see these making a great breakfast!
these look so good! The adult version: delicious over toasted, buttered bruschetta with a dollop of mascarpone on the side.
this sounds AMAZING. cardamom is a staple around here, as is caramelized anything. my pears, this fall, have yet to see the inside of a skillet. oh-ho!
I want this in front of me right now! It sounds so so delicious and comfortng.
This looks like such a healthy yet decadent dessert. Pears always remind me of my nana, she had two pear trees in her backyard that we would pick from and bake with.
This sounds great! I love eating yogurt with fruit for breakfast. The pears and the cardamom sound like a great combination. Photos are beautiful!
What a great idea for a snack!!!
Wow! What a great idea for an easy weekday dessert treat! Thanks for sharing.
Emma
Those pears look amazing! And even better with the pecans!
Thanks for sharing the recipe!
~Liz
cardamom is just my all time favourite spice. I have a cardamom cake recipe – like a coffee cake, that is my go to when i have to do something tasty and quickly for afternoon tea or morning tea. With baked pears and apples it’s also such an aromatic addition. lovely looking snack/dessert katie and nice touch with the pecans.
The combination of cardamom and pears is lovely. This recipe gives me one more reason to love fall. (And your photo – I can taste the pears and pecans already.) Do you mind if we share this with our Greek yogurt and cheese enthusiasts?
Yumm, those pears look delicous! And take heart, there is hope for Logan! When I was little I ate almost no fruits, vegetables or anything that looked strange. Now, i’m in college and love most of the things I thought I hated and will try pretty much everything! My mom almost fainted when I emailed her and told her I loved octopus!
Katie,
What a gorgeous recipe! I can’t wait to re-create this in my own kitchen. Pears and cardamom are indeed a pear-fect pairing. Thanks for sharing the pear love!
– Brittany (and friends at USA Pears)
http://www.usapears.org
I’m with you on cardamom love. I have three different versions of the spice in my kitchen and simply can’t live without it. Heck, though, I’m also totally with you on pears, maple, and Greek yogurt. This is such an appealing recipe in all ways. Thanks you for sharing it.
Ufffff this recipe looks awesome… perfect for a sunday brunch!
This looks amazing!
Would I be able to use apples instead of pears? If so, would I need to change any of the recipe?
Apples can substitute just fine. You might need to cook slightly longer until you get to your desired tenderness since apples will be harder than pears.
Can I substitute honey for maple syrup?
yes
I came across this tonight with my sweet tooth. I am devouring it now! It is as good as it looks! I used apples. YUMMOLICIOUS!!!!!! CHOMP CHOMP!!