Pretty Pear Salad
A delightful pear salad featuring sweet canned pears, cinnamon candies, coconut, and a creamy filling, perfect for a light, flavorful dessert or brunch treat.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Drain the pear halves and save the juice.
- Combine the syrup from the pears with cinnamon candies and heat until the candies are dissolved.
- Add the pears to the syrup and bring to a boil.
- Chill the pears in the syrup for several hours or overnight.
- Blend the cream cheese with milk and lemon juice until smooth.
- Add the remaining ingredients: coconut, crushed pineapple, and toasted almonds to the cream cheese mixture.
- Drain the pears thoroughly.
- Place the filling in the center of each pear half and spread almost to the edges.
- Use as halves or put together to form a whole pear.
- Keep the assembled pears chilled.
- Serve cold.
Tips & Substitutions
For a twist on flavor, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon to the cream cheese mixture. If red cinnamon candies are unavailable, you can substitute with red hots or omit them for a less sweet version. Ensure the pears are well-drained to prevent a watery filling. This salad can be made a day ahead to enhance the flavors and is an excellent complement to dishes like Company Corn Bread.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Pretty Pear Salad as a refreshing appetizer or a light dessert. It pairs wonderfully with light entrees or as part of a buffet spread alongside dishes like Extra Easy Peach Cobbler. Consider garnishing with additional toasted almonds or a sprinkle of coconut for added visual appeal.
Storage & Reheating
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To maintain the texture of the pears, avoid freezing the assembled salad. If you need to reassemble, simply drain the pears and refill them with the cream cheese mixture before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Pretty Pear Salad contains roughly 100 calories, with 1g protein, 17g carbohydrates, and 3g fat.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh pears instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh pears! Just ensure they are ripe but firm, and poach them briefly in a simple syrup made from sugar and water to mimic the canned pears' texture and sweetness before proceeding with the recipe.
How can I make this salad healthier?
To make the Pretty Pear Salad healthier, consider reducing the amount of cream cheese or using a low-fat version. You can also substitute Greek yogurt for a tangy flavor and added protein. Additionally, reducing the amount of cinnamon candies will decrease the overall sugar content.
Is this salad suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this salad is vegetarian-friendly as it contains no meat or animal-derived rennet. However, always check the specific brands of cream cheese and candies used, as some may contain animal-derived ingredients.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).