Poached Pears in Red Wine With Orange, Star Anise & Cinnamon (Updated)

A cozy–elegant holiday dessert you’ll want to make all year.

There’s something magical about poached pears in red wine. Maybe it’s the rich ruby color the pears turn after a slow bath in wine and spices. Maybe it’s the aroma — that warm blend of orange, star anise, and cinnamon that quietly fills your kitchen like a soft holiday hug. Or maybe — and I’m convinced this is true — it’s because this dessert looks incredibly sophisticated, yet it’s one of the easiest dishes you’ll ever make.

This is the kind of recipe I love serving during the holidays: simple, elegant, and reliable. It’s the dessert you bring out when you want to impress your guests without stressing yourself out. You know me — I believe in recipes that feel luxurious but secretly require very little effort. These red wine poached pears embody exactly that energy.

They’re tender, fragrant, full of depth, and beautifully infused with spices. When you spoon the glossy red wine syrup over them… oh my goodness. It’s the kind of dessert that makes people think you graduated from a French culinary school.

And yet? It’s just pears, wine, sugar, and a handful of warm spices. That’s it.

Why Poached Pears in Red Wine Are Perfect for the Holidays

Let’s be honest — the holidays come with enough to-do lists, enough shopping, and enough “should we host or should we just go on vacation?” conversations. The last thing you need is a complicated dessert.

That’s why this recipe is always on my table for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even New Year’s. It checks every single holiday box:

• Festive flavor profile: Orange, cinnamon, and star anise scream holiday warmth.
• Elegant presentation: The deep burgundy color is so stunning, it basically decorates the table for you.
• Make-ahead friendly: These pears get even better the next day.
• Diet-friendly: Gluten-free, no eggs, no dairy — everyone can enjoy them.
• Pairs with everything: Serve with ice cream, yogurt, whipped cream, or even on a cheese board.

And if your guests include people from different culinary backgrounds (like mine always do), this dessert feels familiar yet elevated — a perfect multicultural sweet moment that brings people together.

Great christmas cookies recipes for the holidays:

Easy chocolate crinkles recipe

How to make crunchy sablés with coconut flakes

A Cozy, Elegant Dessert With French Inspiration

You know I love taking familiar recipes and infusing them with modern, cozy elegance. These pears feel deeply French — classic, simple, but refined — yet they work beautifully on an African-inspired holiday menu or alongside any traditional Western spread.

I love the way the star anise and cinnamon remind me of warm drinks from back home, while the red wine brings that unmistakable French flair. The orange ties everything together with brightness and freshness.

It’s basically the dessert version of wearing a cashmere sweater with bold earrings: effortless, but stunning.

Ingredients You’ll Need (Holiday-Friendly & Easy)

• 4 firm pears (Bosc or Anjou work best)
• 3 cups red wine (a dry wine like Cabernet or Merlot is ideal)
• 1 cup water
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 orange (zest + juice)
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 whole star anise
• 3 cloves
• Optional: vanilla extract or vanilla bean for extra warmth

Amazon Storefront Note

You already know I love sharing tools that make cooking easier. I linked my favorite peeler, saucepan, wine opener, and serving dishes on my Amazon storefront — feel free to browse if you want the exact tools I use in my kitchen.

How to Make Poached Pears in Red Wine

Peel your pears

Keep the stems on for a beautiful presentation. You can also slice the bottom a little to help them stand later.

2. Combine your liquid and spices

In a medium saucepan, add the red wine, water, sugar, orange peel, orange juice, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise. Bring to a gentle simmer.

The aroma alone is worth making this recipe.

3. Add the pears

Lay them gently into the liquid. They don’t need to be fully submerged — you’ll turn them during cooking.

4. Slow-poach

Let the pears simmer for 20–30 minutes, turning occasionally. The heat should be gentle — almost meditative.

This is where they transform into jewel-toned beauties.

5. Reduce the wine into a syrup

Once the pears are tender, remove them and simmer the liquid until thick and glossy. This becomes the luscious sauce you’ll drizzle on top.

6. Serve warm or chilled

Personally, I owuld chilll it for 24 hours at least for maximum flavor. I love them slightly warm with a cold scoop of vanilla ice cream. But honestly? Room temperature is just as delightful.

Flavor Variations (Because Pears Love Being Customized)

Once you master the base recipe, you can easily make it your own:

White Wine Version

Use white wine with cardamom, honey, and vanilla for a lighter flavor.

Tea-Infused Version

Poach the pears in hibiscus tea (bissap!) — the color and flavor are incredible.

Spiced African Fusion

Add a hint of ginger, african pepper, or grains of Selim for a warm, bold twist.

Chocolate Lover’s Version

Drizzle melted dark chocolate on the pears right before serving. It’s scandalously good.

What to Serve With Poached Pears

This dessert is delicious on its own, but if you want to build a full moment (and you know I always do), try these pairings:

• Vanilla ice cream
• Cinnamon whipped cream
• Greek yogurt
• Mascarpone with a drizzle of honey
• Toasted nuts (almonds, pistachios, or walnuts)
• A simple shortbread cookie

Make-Ahead Tips (Holiday Hostess Approved)

Hosting during the holidays can feel like a whole event by itself, so here’s how to stay ahead:

• Make the pears 1–2 days before serving
  They get more flavorful over time.
• Store them in the wine syrup
  This keeps them beautifully moist and deeply colored.
• Reduce the syrup right before serving
  It gives the dish that final glossy, luxurious finish.

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Why This Recipe Always Impresses Guests

Here’s the truth: people LOVE dishes that feel special. And somehow, poached pears look like you spent hours crafting them… even though they take less than 40 minutes.

Plus, they fit so many occasions:

• Holiday dinner
• Romantic dessert
• Girls’ night in
• Brunch
• Gift (yes, edible gifts are a thing!)

I’ve served them to friends who prefer simple desserts, to wine-loving guests, and to people who love trying something new — and every single person has been obsessed.

Holiday Serving Ideas (Cozy + Elegant!)

If you want to elevate the presentation:

• Serve in small dessert bowls with extra syrup drizzled on top.
• Garnish with a cinnamon stick or star anise pod.
• Add orange zest curls for brightness.
• Place them on a platter with cheese and nuts for a rustic holiday board.

It’s the kind of dessert that whispers “I’ve got my life together”… even if you’ve been wrapping gifts at midnight with tape stuck to your forehead.

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