Fluffy Homemade Pancakes with Sweet Vanilla Poached Pears: An Irresistible Breakfast & Brunch Delight
Prepare to elevate your breakfast and brunch experience with a truly delightful combination: light, airy pancakes paired with tender, aromatic vanilla poached pears. This innovative recipe offers a fresh twist on a beloved classic, promising to become an instant favorite in your home. While pancakes are a cornerstone of American breakfast culture, this sophisticated version, enhanced with the subtle spice and sweetness of poached pears, is guaranteed to impress any palate, anywhere in the world.
This dish masterfully blends comforting familiarity with gourmet elegance. Imagine a stack of golden, fluffy pancakes, each bite-sized cloud soaking up the rich, fragrant syrup derived from the pear poaching liquid. The tender pears, infused with vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger, add a luscious texture and an explosion of flavor that transforms an ordinary morning meal into an extraordinary culinary event.
The Allure of Poached Pear Pancakes
Pancakes are a global comfort food, often seen as a quintessential American breakfast staple. In many parts of the world, like the Netherlands, where breakfast and lunch often revolve around bread, the concept of fluffy pancakes as a primary meal can feel like a luxurious indulgence. Yet, there’s an undeniable charm to starting your day with a stack of these golden discs, especially when they’re dressed up with a truly special topping. And what could be more fitting for a relaxed Sunday morning or a festive brunch than a plate of perfectly cooked, airy pancakes?
This recipe takes classic pancakes to new heights by introducing the sophisticated flavor of poached pears. Poaching is a gentle cooking method that infuses fruit with incredible flavor and tenderness. By choosing to incorporate seasonal pears, we not only celebrate the bounty of nature but also create a topping that is naturally sweet, subtly spiced, and wonderfully aromatic. The addition of vanilla, cinnamon, and fresh ginger to the poaching liquid creates a warm, inviting scent that fills your kitchen and promises a delicious experience. This combination wasn’t just a fleeting idea; it quickly became a beloved tradition in our household, and we’re certain it will in yours too.
A Symphony of Flavors: Pancakes with Vanilla, Cinnamon & Ginger Pears
The true magic of this recipe lies in its thoughtful integration of flavors. After gently poaching the pears until they are tender and translucent, the leftover poaching liquid is not discarded. Instead, it’s meticulously boiled down into a rich, thick, and intensely flavored syrup. This homemade syrup, bursting with the essence of vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, Prosecco, and honey, eliminates the need for any additional maple syrup or other sweeteners. It’s a natural, wholesome, and incredibly delicious sauce that perfectly complements both the light texture of the pancakes and the delicate sweetness of the pears.
The contrast between the soft, pillowy pancakes and the slightly firmer, yet tender, spiced pears creates an exquisite textural experience. Each bite delivers a harmonious balance: the comforting familiarity of a well-made pancake, the sweet burst of vanilla-infused pear, and the warm, spicy undertones of the reduction syrup. This seamless blend of components ensures that the pancakes disappear in no time, leaving a lasting impression and a strong desire to repeat the experience. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients, treated with care, can yield extraordinary results.
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Andréa
The tender, aromatic pears, simmered in a fragrant liquid of Prosecco, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger, create a luscious topping. The poaching liquid is then reduced to a rich, flavorful syrup, eliminating the need for any extra sweeteners. This thoughtful preparation ensures every bite is a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, elevating simple pancakes into a gourmet experience.
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Ingredients
Poached pears
- 2 cups Prosecco wine
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup sugar
- 2¼ cup water
- 4 poach pears, peeled
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ½ inch fresh ginger, sliced
Pancakes
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg, size L
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
Vanilla Poached Pears
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In a medium saucepan, combine the Prosecco, honey, sugar, vanilla extract, and water. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Carefully add the peeled pears, cinnamon stick, and sliced fresh ginger to the liquid, ensuring the pears are mostly submerged.2 cups Prosecco wine, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 cup sugar, 2¼ cup water, 4 poach pears, 1 cinnamon stick, ½ inch fresh ginger
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Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for approximately 20 minutes, or until the pears are fork-tender. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the pear variety and ripeness.
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Carefully remove the poached pears from the juice and set them aside to cool slightly. Once cool enough to handle, remove the core/seeds and gently cut the pears into small, even cubes.
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Return the remaining poaching liquid to high heat and bring it to a rolling boil. Allow it to reduce, stirring occasionally, until it thickens into a rich syrup, approximately ½ cup (100 ml). This will take about 10-15 minutes, depending on your stovetop. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
Pancakes
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In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder until well combined. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent for fluffy pancakes.1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon sugar
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In a separate medium bowl, lightly whisk together the milk, vegetable oil, and egg until just combined.2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 cup milk, 1 egg
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Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix with a whisk until just combined. It’s crucial not to overmix the batter; a few lumps are perfectly fine and will result in lighter, fluffier pancakes.
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Heat a non-stick frying pan or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease with a little oil or butter. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of batter per pancake into the skillet, spacing them out to allow for spreading.
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Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until bubbles begin to form on the surface and the edges look set. Flip the pancakes gently and cook for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Repeat with the remaining batter.
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Serve the warm, fluffy pancakes immediately, topped generously with the vanilla poached pear cubes and drizzled with the rich, reduced pear syrup. For an extra touch of indulgence, consider a dollop of whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Notes
- For the best flavor and texture, always opt for firm, ripe pears. Varieties that hold their shape well during cooking are ideal.
- While any firm pear can be poached (such as Conference, Bosc, or Anjou), traditional “poaching pears” like Gieser Wildeman are excellent choices due to their ability to absorb flavor and soften beautifully without turning mushy. They are typically hard and dry when raw, making them perfect for stewing.
- Avoid overly soft or very ripe eating pears, as they might break down too much during the poaching process.
2. Keeping Pancakes Warm While You Cook
If you’re making a large batch of pancakes and want to serve them all at once, or if you prefer to prepare them ahead of time, keeping them warm is key. You can easily keep pancakes warm without them becoming soggy or flat:
- Oven Method: Preheat your oven to a low temperature, around 210 °F (100 °C). Place the cooked pancakes in a single layer on a baking tray. Avoid stacking them, as this can compress them and make them less fluffy. Keep them in the warm oven until ready to serve.
- Stacking Tip: If you must stack them, place a piece of parchment paper between each pancake to prevent sticking and moisture build-up.
3. Storage and Reheating for Convenience
To maintain optimal quality, ensure all components (pancakes and pears/syrup) are completely cooled before storing.
- Refrigerator:
- Pancakes: Wrap cooled pancakes tightly in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container, ideally laid flat or with parchment paper between them to preserve their fluffy texture. They will keep for up to 2-3 days.
- Poached Pears and Syrup: Store the cubed poached pears and the reduced syrup in separate airtight containers. They can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Freezer (Pancakes Only): Pancakes freeze exceptionally well, making them perfect for meal prep.
- Freezing Method: Lay freshly cooked and cooled pancakes in a single layer on a baking tray. Freeze for about 30 minutes until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They can be stored for up to 1-2 months.
- No Thawing Needed: The best part about frozen pancakes is that they do not need to be defrosted before reheating!
- Reheating Pancakes: Reheat methods vary based on your preference for speed and texture.
- Microwave: For a quick reheat, place 1-2 pancakes in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. For a stack of five, heat for approximately 1 minute. Adjust time as needed.
- Oven: For a more even reheat that retains some crispness, place pancakes side by side on a baking tray. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Bake at 350 °F (180 °C) for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through.
- Skillet: For a slightly crispy exterior, lightly grease a frying pan and heat pancakes over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until warm and lightly golden.
Nutrition
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More Warm Brunch and Breakfast Inspiration
Looking to expand your repertoire of delightful morning meals? Beyond these incredible pancakes with poached pears, there’s a world of warm and comforting breakfast and brunch recipes to explore. Whether you’re planning a lavish weekend spread or simply seeking a cozy start to your day, these ideas will inspire your culinary creativity and satisfy your cravings for hearty, flavorful dishes.
- Grilled Camembert Sandwich
- Gorgonzola Apple Quiche
- Fluffy American Pancakes Recipe