Marsala Poached Pears are an elegant and easy dessert that's perfect for any occasion. These beautifully tender Anjou pears are simmered in a luxurious bath of Marsala wine, infused with warm spices, creating a flavor explosion in every bite!
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe is a fantastic choice for those managing blood sugar levels, as it relies on natural sweetness from the pears and no added sugars.
So you can indulge in this healthy and impressive dessert with no guilt!
- Easy to Make: Super simple to make, and in minutes, making these pears perfect for busy weeknights or a last-minute dessert idea.
- Diabetic-Friendly: Naturally sweet pears simmered in a spiced Marsala wine sauce keeps this dessert light and delicious without spiking blood sugar levels.
- Elegant and Flavorful: The warm spices and Marsala wine create a sophisticated reduction sauce that complements the tender pears beautifully.
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Ingredients You'll Need
This Marsala Poached Pears recipe relies on a handful of simple ingredients that come together to create a magical dessert:
- Pears: Ripe but firm pears like Bosc or Anjou are ideal for poaching. They hold their shape while absorbing the delicious flavors of the poaching liquid.
- Marsala Wine: Marsala wine adds a touch of sweetness and complexity to the sauce. Look for a dry or semi-dry Marsala for the best results.
- Mulling Spices: A combination of warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise infuses the poaching liquid with a festive and comforting flavor.
- Citrus: A squeeze of lemon or orange juice adds a touch of brightness and balances the sweetness of the Marsala wine.
- Sweetener (Optional): For a touch of additional sweetness, consider adding a sugar substitute suitable for diabetics, such as stevia or monk fruit sweetener.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Red Wine Poached Pears
These beautifully tender pears are simmered in a luxurious bath of Marsala wine, infused with warm spices, creating a flavor explosion in every bite!
This recipe is a fantastic choice for those managing blood sugar levels, as it relies on natural sweetness from the pears and minimal added sugars.
Peel The Pears
- Peel the pears, making sure to keep the stems intact. For extra flair, you can select pears that have a longer stem with a leaf attached.
Prepare The Spiced Wine
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the red wine, orange juice, cinnamon sticks, and mulling spices. Mix the ingredients until well combined.
Poach The Pears
- Add the peeled pears to the pot with the wine mixture and bring it to a boil.
- Once the mixture starts boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let the pears cook for about 30-35 minutes. To ensure even cooking, gently turn the pears every 5-10 minutes. DO NOT COVER WITH A LID.
NOTE: If the poaching liquid is reducing too quickly, lower the heat. You can add a little water if needed.
Chill The Pears or Serve Warm
- Once the pears are tender and infused with the flavors, remove the saucepan from the heat and allow them to cool before serving, or chill for an hour or two first before serving.
- Serve the Red Wine Poached Pears with Spices with a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream or a scoop of sugar-free vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert. Enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations when making this recipe.
- Pears: Don't have Bosc or Anjou pears? Bartlett pears can also be used in this recipe.
- Mulling Spices: If you don't have whole spices, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves, and a pinch of ground nutmeg for the mulling spices.
- Sweetener: (Optional) You can add a little brown sugar also if you want these pears sweeter.
- No Marsala? That's OK too. You can use any wine you like, even white or rose`.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making red wine poached pears:
- Use ripe but firm pears that will hold their shape during poaching.
- Don't overcook the pears! They should be tender but not mushy.
- For a thicker syrup, simmer the poaching liquid for a longer duration after removing the pears.
Serving Suggestions
Marsala Poached Pears can be served warm or chilled. Enjoy them on their own, with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla yogurt, or crumbled over a scoop of sugar-free ice cream for an extra decadent treat.
Related Recipes
- Sugar Free 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
- Sugar-Free Blueberry Cheesecake
- Sugar Free Mini Pavlova Nests
- Sugar Substitute Conversion Chart (with Free PDF!)
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making wine poached pears.
Storage and Reheating
- Leftover poached pears can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- They can be enjoyed cold or reheated gently in the poaching liquid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Peeling the pears allows the wine to seep into the pears and add flavor. If your using a red or rose wine, you'll get to see the beautiful color change when you use a spoon to cut a piece of pear. Leaving peels on prevents this.
The pears are finished when they are tender when pierced with a fork. You can also carefully take a pear out of the poaching liquid and check if it yields slightly to gentle pressure.
Absolutely! You can prepare the poaching liquid with the Marsala wine, water, spices, and sweetener up to a day in advance. Simply store it covered in the refrigerator until you're ready to poach the pears.
More Diabetes Friendly Recipes
Marsala Poached Pears
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 Bosc pears
- 750 ml Marsala wine 1 bottle red wine
- 1 cup Orange juice
- 2 Cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon Mulling spices
Instructions
- Peel the pears, making sure to keep the stems intact.4 Bosc pears
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the red wine, orange juice, cinnamon sticks, and mulling spices. Mix the ingredients until well combined.750 ml Marsala wine, 1 cup Orange juice, 2 Cinnamon sticks, 1 teaspoon Mulling spices
- Add the peeled pears to the pot with the wine mixture and bring it to a boil.
- Once the mixture starts boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let the pears cook for about 30-35 minutes. To ensure even cooking, gently turn the pears every 5-10 minutes.
- Once the pears are tender and infused with the flavors, remove the saucepan from the heat and allow them to cool before serving, or chill for an hour or two first before serving.
- Serve the Red Wine Poached Pears with Spices with a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream or a scoop of sugar-free vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use ripe but firm pears that will hold their shape during poaching.
- Don't overcook the pears! They should be tender but not mushy.
- For a thicker syrup, simmer the poaching liquid for a longer duration after removing the pears.
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