This old-fashioned pear cobbler is delightfully simple to prepare and makes a favorite, crowd-pleasing dessert for gatherings. With a tender, cake-like batter, salty browned edges from butter, and fresh pear slices on top, it looks impressive while being easy to make.
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. If you want a festive finish, sprinkle turbinado sugar over the pears before baking for a touch of sparkle and extra crunch.
Pear cobbler is especially lovely in fall and winter when pears are at their best. Bartlett pears work wonderfully for this recipe; Bosc or Anjou are good alternatives. Fresh pears yield the best texture, but well-drained canned pears may be used in a pinch.
The batter is poured over melted butter in the baking dish, then topped with pear slices. You don’t need to peel the pears, which speeds preparation and keeps more texture and flavor. This recipe is a great way to use up ripe fruit and is ideal for potlucks or casual dinner parties.
Featured 5-star reviews:
What readers are saying:
- “Really tasty cobbler. Just like my mom used to make! I like that it is not too sweet and has lots of pear slices. Added some cinnamon and it was amazing! Served it with homemade whipped cream as you recommended. Thanks!” – Laurie
- “Pear cobbler is one of my favorite desserts. I always make it when pears are in season and I really enjoyed this simple recipe. One of the best I’ve ever made!” – Josh
- “Sooo delicious!!! OMG. I couldn’t get enough of this cobbler. I even had a slice for breakfast the next day.” – Kara
This pear cobbler is adapted from an easy nectarine cobbler and is baked in a skillet or baking dish with a buttery cake-like base and tender pear slices.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic and comforting. Cobblers are timeless desserts: a light batter poured over butter and finished with fruit.
- Loads of baked fruit. The pear slices bake into the batter for tender, juicy bites.
- Fast assembly. No peeling required for the pears, and the recipe comes together quickly.
- Simple, old-fashioned approach. Few ingredients and straightforward steps make this an approachable recipe for bakers of all levels.
- Not overly sweet. The finished cobbler is balanced and refreshing rather than cloying.
Ingredients
- Butter (salted or unsalted—see notes)
- Granulated white sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Milk (your choice)
- Pears (fresh preferred; drained canned pears also work)
See the recipe card below for exact measurements and full directions.
Substitutions
If you need to adapt the recipe:
- Dairy-free/vegan: Use a plant-based stick butter and non-dairy milk. The texture will be similar, but results may vary.
- Gluten-free: Substitute a reliable 1:1 gluten-free baking flour and follow package instructions for best results.
Variations
Flavor ideas to customize the cobbler:
- Add ½ teaspoon ground ginger or a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for warm, autumnal spice.
- Brown the butter before pouring it into the dish for a nutty, deeper flavor.
- Serve with hot tea or coffee for a cozy afternoon treat, or pair with vanilla ice cream for dessert.
How To Make Pear Cobbler
Step 1: Wash, core, and slice 2–3 pears to measure about 2 heaping cups.
Step 2: Combine dry ingredients—sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt—in a bowl.
Step 3: Whisk in the milk until the batter is smooth; it will be thin.
Step 4: Let the batter rest a few minutes while you prepare the dish.
Step 5: Place butter in a baking dish and put it in the oven to melt.
Step 6: Remove the dish once the butter has melted.
Step 7: Pour the batter over the melted butter. Do not stir.
Step 8: Arrange sliced pears on top without stirring. Bake at 350°F for 45–60 minutes, until the edges are dark golden and the top is golden brown.
Expert Tips & Tricks
- Choose firm, ripe pears so they retain shape during baking; overly soft pears can break down too much.
- Recommended dishes: 9″ round pie dish, 9×9″ square, 11×7″ rectangular, or a 10″ cast iron skillet.
- The batter is meant to be thin. If it seems too thin because of measurement error, add 1–2 tablespoons of flour and whisk to adjust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions and answers:
Store a cooled pear cobbler covered at room temperature for up to two days, or refrigerate for up to five days.
Bake at 350°F for 45–60 minutes. Times vary by dish size and oven—look for crisp, darkened edges and a golden top.
At room temperature: 1–2 days. In the refrigerator: up to 5 days.
Equipment
You’ll need a baking dish of your choice (see recommendations above), a mixing bowl, a whisk, measuring cups and spoons, and a knife for slicing pears.
Storage
Room Temperature
Keep covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator Instructions
Store cooled cobbler covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
More Recipes You’ll Love
Try other easy baked treats and cobblers for seasonal inspiration or simple desserts that travel well to potlucks.
Eggless Frosted Sugar Cookies-
Cranberry Cobbler
-
Peach Cobbler
-
Beer Cream Cheese Pretzel Dip
Recipe
Easy Pear Cobbler Recipe
4.8 from 9 reviews
This old-fashioned pear cobbler is a simple, impressive dessert made with butter, a cake-like batter, and juicy pears. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.
- Author: Marley Braunlich
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45–60 minutes
- Total Time: 60–75 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Cobbler, Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 heaping cups sliced fresh pears (about 2–3 pears)
- ⅓ cup salted butter
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- ¾ cup milk of choice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Wash and slice 2–3 pears and discard cores. Measure about 2 heaping cups of sliced pears and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Whisk in the milk until smooth; the batter will be thin.
- Place butter in a baking dish (11×7″ casserole or 9″ pie dish). Put the dish in the oven until the butter melts, then remove from the oven.
- Pour the batter over the melted butter. Do not stir.
- Top the batter with the sliced pears. Do not stir.
- Bake for 45–60 minutes, until edges are crisp and dark golden and the top is golden brown.
- Remove from oven and cool 10 minutes before serving. Store at room temperature up to 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.
Notes
- See the recipe notes above for tips on dish sizes and ingredient swaps.
- If using unsalted butter, add ¼ teaspoon salt to the dry ingredients.
- If using canned pears, be sure they are well drained before topping the batter.
- Use firm, ripe pears for best texture; avoid overly soft fruit.
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
Did you try this pear cobbler? Leave a review and tag @bakedabundance on Instagram or Facebook to share photos of your dessert.