Snowy Ginger Pear Dessert (Printable)

Tender pears infused with ginger, served with silky coconut cream for a refreshing, elegant chilled dish.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pears

01 - 4 ripe but firm pears, peeled, halved, and cored

→ Poaching Liquid

02 - 3 cups water
03 - 1 cup granulated sugar
04 - 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
05 - Zest of 1 lemon
06 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice

→ Snowy Coconut Cream

07 - 1 (14 oz) can coconut cream, chilled
08 - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Garnish

10 - 1 tablespoon crystallized ginger, finely chopped (optional)
11 - Fresh mint leaves (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine water, sugar, sliced ginger, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil while stirring until sugar dissolves.
02 - Add pear halves to the poaching liquid. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and poach for 15 to 20 minutes until pears are tender but intact.
03 - Remove pears using a slotted spoon and allow to cool completely. Discard ginger slices and lemon zest from poaching liquid.
04 - Beat chilled coconut cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract in a chilled bowl until smooth and slightly thickened.
05 - Place two pear halves on each serving plate. Spoon the snowy coconut cream generously over pears and garnish with crystallized ginger and mint leaves if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks impressive but practically makes itself while you clean up the kitchen.
  • The ginger gives just enough warmth without overpowering the delicate sweetness of the pears.
  • You can make it hours ahead, which means no last-minute panic before serving.
02 -
  • Do not skip chilling the coconut cream overnight, room temperature cream will not whip properly and you'll end up with soup.
  • Keep the poaching liquid at a gentle simmer, a rolling boil will cook the pears unevenly and make them fall apart.
  • Taste a pear after poaching, if it feels bland, let the halves sit in the warm liquid for five more minutes off the heat to soak up more flavor.
03 -
  • Use a wide, shallow pan if you have one, it lets the pears sit in a single layer and poach more evenly.
  • Save any leftover poaching liquid and simmer it down into a syrup, it's incredible over yogurt or pancakes the next morning.
  • If your coconut cream won't whip, pop the bowl and beaters in the freezer for ten minutes and try again, the cold makes all the difference.

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