The Perfect Valentine's Dessert
White Wine Poached Pears with Spiced Cream
Looking for a romantic and elegant Valentine's dessert that's sure to impress? These White Wine Poached Pears with Spiced Whipped Cream are the answer. They're not only beautiful to look at but also bursting with delicate flavors that perfectly complement each other. The secret ingredient? A touch of SMOOTH Evie Olive Oil adds a unique richness and elevates this classic dessert to a whole new level.
This recipe is easy to follow, even for novice cooks, and yields two servings – perfect for a cozy Valentine's Day dinner for two.
"There's nothing quite like the aroma of poached pears & spiced cream wafting through your home."

Recipe information
15 minutes
25 minutes
2
Dessert
Ingredients
- 2 Bosc pears, peeled, stems attached
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp SMOOTH Evie Olive Oil
- 1/2 (750-ml) bottle sweet dessert wine (e.g. Riesling)
- Zest from 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 4 black peppercorns
- 2 star anise pods, broken in half
- 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste
For the Spiced Whipped Cream:
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp confectioners' sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Zest from 1/2 lemon
Instructions
Prepare the Pears: Using a sharp paring knife, carefully cut the pears in half lengthwise, leaving the stems attached for an elegant presentation. Remove the core from the center of each half. Drizzle each pear half with lemon juice and 1.5 teaspoons of SMOOTH Evie Olive Oil. This helps prevent browning and adds a subtle fruity note.
Poach the Pears: In a medium saucepan, bring the sweet dessert wine to a simmer over medium heat. Add the lemon zest, granulated sugar, honey, black peppercorns, star anise pods, and vanilla bean paste. Stir until the sugar and honey are dissolved. Gently place the pear halves into the simmering wine, ensuring they are mostly submerged. Cook gently until the pears are tender but not mushy, about 15 minutes. A paring knife should easily pierce the pear.
Rest and Reduce: Remove the poached pears from the pan, allowing them to drain well. Strain the poaching liquid through a fine-mesh sieve, reserving ¼ cup of the liquid for the sauce. The remaining poaching liquid can be simmered further until it reduces to a syrup-like consistency. This reduced syrup is delicious drizzled over ice cream, used to flavor iced tea, or served over yogurt.
Whip the Cream: While the pears are poaching, prepare the spiced whipped cream. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, combine the heavy whipping cream, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla bean paste, ground cinnamon, and lemon zest. Whip on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Be careful not to over-whip.
Assemble the Valentine's Dessert: Place two poached pear halves in each dessert bowl. Drizzle the reserved ¼ cup of poaching liquid over the pears. Top generously with the spiced whipped cream. Finally, drizzle a small amount of the remaining SMOOTH Evie Olive Oil over the whipped cream for a final touch of richness and flavor.
Tips for the Perfect Valentine's Dessert:
- Choose ripe but firm Bosc pears for the best texture.
- Don't overcook the pears; they should be tender but still hold their shape.
- Use a good quality Riesling or other sweet dessert wine for the poaching liquid.
- The SMOOTH Evie Olive Oil adds a subtle fruitiness and richness that complements the sweet pears and spiced cream. Don't skip it!
- For an extra touch of elegance, garnish with a few fresh raspberries or a sprinkle of chopped pistachios.
This White Wine Poached Pear dessert is the perfect ending to a romantic Valentine's Day meal. The combination of sweet poached pears, fragrant spices, and creamy whipped cream, all enhanced by the unique flavor of Evie Olive Oil, will surely impress your loved one. Enjoy!