Skip to main content

Microwave Pear Sauce

Enjoy this easy-to-make pear sauce as a fruit snack, or as a topping for pancakes or French toast.
Bowl of chunky textured mashed pears topped with spices.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Makes: 4 cups
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

8 medium pears, peeled, cored and cut into about 1-inch pieces (about 8 cups) 
1 teaspoon lemon juice 
½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional) 
½ teaspoon ground ginger (optional) 
½ teaspoon vanilla (optional)

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Rinse fresh fruits under running water before preparing.
  3. Place pears and lemon juice in a large microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe cover.
  4. Cook on HIGH for 5 minutes. Let the dish sit for a few minutes, then remove from oven.
  5. Mash pears with a fork, potato masher or hand-held blender. If you would like a smoother sauce, return bowl to the microwave for another 3 to 5 minutes and mash again.
  6. Stir in remaining ingredients, as desired. Enjoy warm or chilled.
  7. Refrigerate leftovers to use within a week or freeze for longer storage. To freeze, place in airtight containers and label with the date. For best quality, use within 2 months.

Notes

  • Frozen and canned pears are easy to make into a sauce.
  • Try other spices such as nutmeg and cardamom.
  • You can leave the pear peels on the fruit for more fiber.
  • No microwave? You can make the recipe in a saucepan on a stovetop or in an electric skillet. Bring pears and lemon juice to a simmer over medium heat. Stir a few times while cooking until the pears have softened, about 15 to 20 minutes. Mash or blend to the thickness you like and add other ingredients, as desired.

Comments

We had a lot of pears this fall and I wasn't sure what to do with them in a short amount of time. Using the microwave to cook the pears was a perfect solution! We do prefer pears to be blended smooth so I used an immersion blender but you could easily use a regular blender. Our favorite spicing was a bit of ginger and vanilla. We enjoyed the sauce as a healthy dessert and also on pancakes. I froze some to use in muffins and quick bread. Thanks so much for the inspiration.

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Potato Pals
Plate of baked red potato quarters.

Potato Pals

This side dish of roasted potatoes goes well with a variety of meals. Simple to make with only 4 ingredients. Add variety with your own favorite spices.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Not Your Everyday Apples
Bowl of baked apple chunks with raisins and cinnamon.

Not Your Everyday Apples

Apples are baked to perfection with a mixture of butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip
Small bowl of yogurt and peanut butter mix served with sliced apples.

Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip

This peanut butter dip comes together in 5 minutes and is perfect with apples and celery.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
12 Tablespoons (¾ cup)
Whole-Wheat Quick Bread
Photo of Whole Wheat Quick Bread

Whole-Wheat Quick Bread

This warm and comforting whole wheat bread is ready in about an hour.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
16 pieces
Spring Green Salad
Bowls of spinach salad topped with strawberries and orange slices.

Spring Green Salad

A colorful and tasty salad with crisp spinach, tangy citrus, sweet strawberries and crunchy walnuts.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
10 cups
Yogurt Fruit Dip
Bowl of yogurt dip served with cantaloupe slices.

Yogurt Fruit Dip

Kid-approved, quick and easy dip with cinnamon, vanilla and a hint of brown sugar.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
1 cup