Looking to wow your guests while keeping things simple? Spend just 30 minutes making this fabulous and elegant dessert that’s also vegan-friendly: Marsala caramelized pears. These pears are juicy, tender, and just the right amount of sweet, making them an absolute treat. They’re super easy and quick to whip up, and the fragrant spices will fill your kitchen with a wonderful aroma. Present them as a dessert to wrap up your meal, and you’ll leave a lasting impression on everyone at the table, whether they’re vegan or not!
Find out here what Marsala is, its history and how it is produced.
What if You don’t have Marsala wine?
If you need a substitute of Marsala, there are a few options you can consider:
- Port Wine: This can work well if you’re making a dessert or a dish that can handle a sweeter taste.
- Madeira Wine: Like Marsala, Madeira is a fortified wine and can be a good substitute in both sweet and savory recipes.
- White Wine with Brandy: Mix 1 cup of white wine with 1 tablespoon of brandy. This combination can mimic the fortified aspect of Marsala.
These substitutes can help you achieve a flavor close to Marsala, but remember to adjust sweetness and acidity based on your personal taste and the specific recipe!
Caramelized Pears with Marsala Syrup Recipe
Marsala Caramelized Pears Ingredients
- 4 medium-sized Kaiser pears, not too ripe
- 500 ml (2 cups) sweet Marsala or other fortified wine of your choice
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3-4 whole cloves
- 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
- Water, if needed
Marsala Caramelized Pears Instructions
Prepare the pears. For a quick and tasty treat, pick pears that are slightly firm, not too ripe, so they hold their shape while cooking. Give them a rinse and peel off the skin, but leave the core and stem intact.
Cook. Place the pears in a tall, narrow saucepan where they fit comfortably without being cramped. Pour in enough Marsala wine to submerge them, then add sugar, a cinnamon stick, cloves, lemon zest, and vanilla. Top up with water if needed until the pears are fully covered. Bring to a boil, then let them gently simmer over medium heat for around 15 minutes until tender but still holding their form.
Make the Creamy Marsala Syrup. Carefully transfer the pears to a plate once done, and reduce the Marsala sauce for a few extra minutes. Serve the warm pears right away, drizzled with spoonfuls of the rich sauce.
Storage Instructions
These pears are so freaking delicious, it’s really hard not to scarf them all down right away. But if you’ve got leftovers, let the pears cool off completely, then stash them in the fridge for 2–3 days. When you want to eat them again, take them out 30 minutes before to get to room temp, or warm them up a bit in a pan with the Marsala syrup. Just don’t try freezing them — that’s a no-go.
Marsala Caramelized Pears (Vegan Recipe)
Ingredients
- 4 medium-sized Kaiser pears not too ripe
- 500 ml sweet Marsala or other fortified wine of your choice
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3-4 whole cloves
- 1 vanilla bean split lengthwise (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
- Zest of 1 lemon optional
- Water if needed
Instructions
- For a quick and tasty treat, pick pears that are slightly firm, not too ripe, so they hold their shape while cooking. Give them a rinse and peel off the skin, but leave the core and stem intact.
- Place the pears in a tall, narrow saucepan where they fit comfortably without being cramped.
- Pour in enough Marsala wine to submerge them, then add sugar, a cinnamon stick, cloves, lemon zest, and vanilla. Top up with water if needed until the pears are fully covered.
- Bring to a boil, then let them gently simmer over medium heat for around 15 minutes until tender but still holding their form.
- Carefully transfer the pears to a plate once done, and reduce the Marsala sauce for a few extra minutes.
- Serve the warm pears right away, drizzled with spoonfuls of the rich sauce.
