Spring Blushing Pears

These lightly sweetened cranberry and cinnamon enhanced pink pears are simple and make a delicious healthy dessert or snack.
Pears have been dirt cheap lately at our favorite grocery store and I thought it would be nice to find an easy, no bake style dessert that wouldn't heat up the house, but would offer a little sweetness and spice. These certainly fit the bill!

* 1 1/2 cups cranberry juice cocktail
* 2 Tbs white sugar
* 1/2 cinnamon stick
* 4 Bosc pears, peeled with stems intact


In a small, deep saucepan combine cranberry juice, sugar, and cinnamon stick over medium heat, bringing to a simmer. Stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Meanwhile, gently peel the pears, carefully leaving the stem intact.

Place the pears into the simmering juice and cover. Cook until the pears are tender, turning occasionally, 15 to 20 minutes.

Once the pears have become quite tender, remove the saucepan from the heat, and set aside to cool to room temperature, be sure to turn the pears a few times throughout the cooling period, so the color will remain even.

You can cook down the remaining liquid after removing the pears and use it as a light drizzle over the pears, but it's not required.

What are your favorite dirt cheap dessert recipes?


© Can Stock Photo Inc. / StephanieFrey