This Cranberry Pears recipe is an easy but elegant dessert recipe that’s light and refreshing after a heavy meal. The pears take on a festive red color, which makes for a lovely presentation.
If you have leftover sauce, pour it over vanilla ice cream!
In a large saucepan, bring cranberries and 1-1/2 cups of water to a boil. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In a blender or food processor, purée the mixture in batches. Return it to the saucepan and add sugar and 1/3 cup of almond-flavor liqueur.
Peel pears carefully, leaving the stem attached. Cut a small slice from the bottom of each pear so that it can stand upright.
Place pears in cranberry–liqueur mixture, bring to a simmer, then cook for 15 minutes. Transfer pears to a bowl and set them aside.
Bring cranberry–liqueur mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until thickened.
Pour cranberry–liqueur syrup over pears, cover, and refrigerate. Turn the pears occasionally.
To serve, remove pears from the syrup and blot lightly. Spoon sauce into serving dishes and place a pear on each one.
In a large, chilled bowl, whip heavy cream with remaining 1 tablespoon of almond-flavor liqueur (optional). Serve with the pears.
