This old-fashioned pear cobbler recipe is super simple to make and is one of my go-to desserts to make when I'm having people over. Impress your guests with this fancy, secretly effortless recipe.
This easy cobbler has a slightly cakey texture with crisp, salty edges from the salted butter. It is topped with fresh sliced pears and turbinado sugar if you're feeling extra festive.
Serve it up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream. This is the perfect dessert when you need to whip something up at the last minute!
Pear cobbler is a wonderful dessert to make during the fall and winter when pears are in season. I like to use Bartlett pears, but you can also use Bosc or Anjou pears. I prefer this recipe with fresh pears but drained, canned pears should also work nicely.
This buttery dessert is made with a cake-like batter and sliced fruit. The best part is you don't have to peel the pears! This is a great way to use up leftover fresh fruit. Bring this pear cobbler to your next potluck or gathering, it will be a hit!
This post will give you all the tips and tricks on how to make a traditional pear cobbler.
Featured 5-star reviews:
Want to know what other people thought of this recipe? Check out these 5-star reviews left by our readers:
- "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 recipe is based on my easy nectarine cobbler. This version is made in a cast iron skillet with sliced nectarines and brown butter.
For more pear recipes, try these healthy pear muffins. These muffins are super moist and not overly sweet and they are dotted with delicious, juicy bites of pear!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Classic dessert everyone will love. Cobblers are a classic. Smooth batter is poured over melted butter and topped with fruit. So delicious!
- Bites of baked fruit. What makes cobblers so great is they can be made with lots of different fruits, in this case, fresh Bartlett pears!
- Quick assembly. This recipe is fast and easy to throw together. You don't even have to peel the fresh pears which is a game changer.
- Old-fashioned recipe. This pear cobbler comes from a family recipe for peach cobbler that I've adapted. It's super simple to make from scratch and calls for only a few ingredients.
- A light dessert that is not overly sweet. This recipe does not use too much sugar and is a refreshing, sweet treat.
Ingredients
- Butter
- Granulated or white sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Milk
- Pears, fresh or canned
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions
Need to make a substitution or missing an ingredient? Here are some ways you can alter this recipe to fit your unique dietary needs.
- Dairy-free or vegan? Use a high-quality, plant-based stick butter and non-dairy milk. I have not tested this recipe with these substitutions.
- Gluten-free? I have not tested this recipe with other flour. I recommend using a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour if you try to make this recipe gluten-free. Leave a comment and let me know how this goes!
Variations
Here are a few ideas for customizing this recipe and making different flavor variations:
- Play up the seasonal flavors by adding ½ teaspoon ground ginger to the batter mixture. You can try adding other fall spices like cinnamon or nutmeg.
- Brown the butter to add even more depth of flavor. Browned butter tastes slightly nutty and would be great in this cobbler recipe!
- Serve with a cup of hot tea or coffee if you're enjoying this as an afternoon treat. Or enjoy it with vanilla ice cream or homemade vanilla whipped cream for dessert.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
How To Make Pear Cobbler
Step 1: Prepare fresh pears: wash, slice, and measure.
Step 2: Mix dry ingredients.
Step 3: Add milk to dry ingredients and whisk to combine.
Step 4: Let batter sit for a few minutes.
Step 5: Add butter to a baking dish and place in the oven.
Step 6: Remove the baking dish with butter from the oven once melted.
Step 7: Pour batter on top of melted butter. Do not stir.
Step 8: Top with sliced pears. Do not stir. Bake according to the instructions on the recipe card.
Expert Tips & Tricks
- Use firm, ripe pears for the best results. This will help the pears hold their shape while baking and create the best texture. Overly ripe, soft pears will not hold up as well.
- I find a 9" round pie dish, a 9x9" square baking dish, an 11x7" rectangular baking dish, or a 10" cast iron skillet work best.
- The batter will be a thin consistency. This is normal. If you feel your measurements are off and the batter mixture is way too thin, add an extra tablespoon or two of flour and whisk to combine. I've done this before when I accidentally added a little too much milk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question about this recipe? Here are some additional tips and commonly asked questions:
Store pear cobbler covered at room temperature for up to two days or in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Pear cobbler bakes at 350F for 45-60 minutes. Baking times may vary on the size of the baking dish and different ovens. Look for dark brown crispy edges and a golden color on top.
Pear cobbler lasts 1 to 2 days at room temperature and up to 5 days in the fridge.
Equipment
You will need a baking dish of your choice (see my "Expert Tips & Tricks" section for recommended baking dish sizes) along with a mixing bowl, whisk, dry and liquid measuring cups, and measuring spoons.
Storage
Room Temperature
Store cooled and covered pear cobbler at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator Instructions
Store cooled and covered cobbler in the fridge for up to 5 days.
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Recipe
Easy Pear Cobbler Recipe
This old-fashioned pear cobbler recipe is super simple to make and is the perfect dessert to make when you're having guests over. It's made with butter, a cake-like batter, and juicy pears. This is an effortless dessert that looks impressive. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 45-60
- Total Time: 60-75
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Cobbler, Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 heaping cups of sliced fresh pears, about 2-3 pears* (see notes for canned)
- 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 to 3 fresh pears. Discard cores. Measure 2 heaping cups of sliced pear and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, mix together the dry ingredients including sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Pour in the milk and whisk to combine until smooth. The batter will have a thin consistency.
- Add butter to a baking dish (I like to use an 11x7" casserole dish or a 9" pie dish) and place in the oven to melt. Once melted, remove the baking dish. Pour the batter over the butter. Do not stir.
- Top with sliced fresh pears or drained canned pears. Do not stir.
- Return the baking dish to the oven and bake the cobbler for 45-60 minutes, or until the edges of the cobbler are crisp and dark golden brown and the top of the cobbler has a golden brown color.
- Remove from oven once baked through and allow to cool for 10 minutes before enjoying. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if desired.
- Store at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
- See the blog post for more baking tips and details on how to customize this recipe.
- See my "Expert Tips & Tricks" section for recommended baking dish sizes.
- If using unsalted butter, add ¼ teaspoon salt.
- If using canned pears, be sure they are drained well.
- Use firm, ripe pears for best results. Fresh pairs should not be overly soft or mushy.
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
Did you try this fresh pear cobbler? Leave a five ⭐️ review below and tag @bakedabundance on Instagram & Facebook!
Josh
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!
Laurie
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!
Kara
Sooo delicious!!! OMG. I couldn't get enough of this cobbler. I even had a slice for breakfast the next day.
Gwen
I love the simple ingredients for this dish! The pear is such a sweet and delicious flavor and it's perfect for fall. This would make a great Thanksgiving treat to share.
Heidi Madden
I'm always looking for ways to use up the Asian pears from our tree, and this recipe was so easy to make and so delicious. I added a little vanilla to the batter and sprinkled cinnamon on top of the pears. Also used 1/4 cup butter instead of 1/3 cup. Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe!
Marley Braunlich
Thanks so much Heidi! 🙂 I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe. The vanilla and cinnamon additions sound delightful!
Dewayne Carter
My daughter after school care had some extra pears. Family loves this recipe, a hit
Sue
This recipe is PERFECT! Super easy and flexible with just the right amount of sweetness not to overwhelm the fruit. I’ve made it several times now, sometimes doubling the pears, sometimes just dumping it all in a bowl and mixing, and usually adding cinnamon to the pears. Perfect every time. It’s my new go-to cobbler recipe!
Erica
It doesn't need 1/2 cup sugar! Less sugar (to taste), like 1/4 cup. I did have quite sweet pears... Also, a little cinnamon and vanilla in the batter makes a tastier recipe. I'm also going to go with less butter next time.
Cheryl Peterson
This recipe was super easy and delicious! I made a vegan version for my daughter using the Earth Balance sticks and almond milk. I also made an apple version adding cinnamon and nutmeg. All came out delicious!
Marley Braunlich
Wow this sounds amazing!! How sweet to make this special recipe for your daughter. Enjoy!
Aubree
Would brown sugar work in this recipe as a substitute for white sugar?
Marley Braunlich
Hey Aubree, I haven't tried substituting the white sugar with brown sugar. However, I couldn't imagine it would seriously alter the outcome, I think it would still turn out delicious. If you try this, let me know how it turns out!
Vicki
Has anyone tried this using almond milk?
Marley Braunlich
Hey Vicki, I have not tried using almond milk in this recipe. I would imagine it would still turn out fairly similar, but not 100% sure. If you try it, let me know how it works out!