13 Pear and Fig Desserts That Make Fall Taste Like Home

Apples get most of the attention in autumn, but pears and figs quietly steal the show for anyone who tries them. Pears turn soft and honeyed in the oven, and figs taste like jam straight from the tree. These pear and fig desserts are warm, elegant and surprisingly easy, perfect for Sunday dinner, Thanksgiving or a quiet night with tea. Which one will you bake first..

Honey Glazed Fig Cake to Start Our Fall Desserts

This soft, golden cake is topped with fresh figs and a drizzle of honey glaze that drips down the sides. The crumb is moist from yogurt and olive oil, and the figs turn sticky and sweet as they sit on top. It is the kind of cake that looks like it came from a little bakery in Italy, yet you can make it in one bowl. Would you serve it with coffee or tea?

You will need: You need: 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, pinch of salt, 2 eggs, 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup olive oil, 3/4 cup Greek yogurt, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 6 fresh figs, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon milk.

How to make it: Whisk eggs, sugar, oil, yogurt and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Pour into a lined 8 inch pan and bake at 350F for 40 minutes. Cool. Mix powdered sugar, honey and milk into a glaze, pour over the cake and top with halved figs.

Vanilla Poached Pears, the Easiest Pear Desserts

Poached pears are one of the most elegant pear and fig desserts, and they take almost no skill. Peeled pears simmer gently in a vanilla and cinnamon syrup until they are tender all the way through. The syrup then cooks down into a glossy sauce to spoon on top. Serve warm with ice cream or cold with yogurt. Have you ever tried poached pears?

You will need: You need: 4 firm pears, 4 cups water, 1 cup sugar, 1 vanilla bean or 2 teaspoons vanilla, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 strips lemon peel.

How to make it: Peel the pears and leave the stems on. Bring water, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and lemon peel to a simmer. Add pears and cover with a circle of parchment. Simmer 20 to 25 minutes until a knife slides in easily. Remove pears and boil the syrup until thick.

Pear Frangipane Tart

Thin slices of pear fanned over a soft almond cream filling make this tart look like a work of art. Frangipane is just butter, sugar, eggs and ground almonds, and it puffs up around the fruit as it bakes. The edges turn golden and the pears caramelize. It is a dessert that feels made for a holiday table. Quick poll: A) with cream, B) with ice cream, C) plain?

You will need: You need: 1 tart crust, 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 cup almond flour, 2 tablespoons flour, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 3 ripe pears, 2 tablespoons apricot jam.

How to make it: Press the crust into a tart pan and chill. Beat butter and sugar, add eggs, then almond flour, flour and vanilla. Spread in the crust. Slice pears thinly and fan them over the filling. Bake at 350F for 45 minutes. Brush with warm jam while still hot.

Fig and Almond Tart

Figs and almonds are an old friendship. In this tart, halved figs sink into a nutty almond filling and turn jammy as they bake. Each slice has a crisp crust, a soft middle and a sweet, deep fig flavor. Dried figs also work if fresh ones are hard to find, just soak them in warm water first. Among pear and fig desserts, this is the one people fight over. Would you share a slice?

You will need: You need: 1 tart crust, 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 cup ground almonds, 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, 8 fresh figs, 2 tablespoons honey, sliced almonds.

How to make it: Blind bake the crust for 10 minutes at 375F. Beat butter and sugar, then add eggs, ground almonds and extract. Spread in the crust. Press in halved figs cut side up. Scatter sliced almonds. Bake at 350F for 35 minutes. Drizzle with honey before serving.

Rustic Pear Cake, Simple Desserts at Their Best

This simple cake is soft and buttery with chunks of ripe pear tucked inside and slices arranged on top. A sprinkle of sugar before baking gives it a lightly crisp crust. It needs no frosting at all, which makes it perfect for breakfast with coffee or a quick snack after school. It is one of the easiest pear and fig desserts to start with.

You will need: You need: 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 cup butter, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup milk, 3 ripe pears, 1 tablespoon coarse sugar.

How to make it: Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs. Add flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon with the milk. Fold in two chopped pears. Pour into a 9 inch pan. Arrange slices of the last pear on top and sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 350F for 45 minutes.

Honey Roasted Figs With Pistachios

Sometimes the best desserts are the simplest. Fresh figs are cut open, drizzled with honey and roasted until they are warm and bubbly, then sprinkled with crunchy pistachios. Serve them with a spoon of mascarpone, Greek yogurt or vanilla ice cream. They take fifteen minutes and feel like something from a fine restaurant. Sweet, salty or both: which way would you go?

You will need: You need: 12 fresh figs, 3 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon butter, pinch of cinnamon, 1/4 cup chopped pistachios, pinch of flaky salt, mascarpone or yogurt to serve.

How to make it: Heat oven to 400F. Cut figs in half and place in a baking dish. Melt butter with honey and cinnamon and drizzle over. Roast 12 to 15 minutes until soft and bubbly. Sprinkle with pistachios and a little salt. Serve warm with mascarpone.

Baked Pears With Walnuts and Maple

Baked pears are a cozy, lighter dessert that still feels like a treat. Halved pears get a scoop of walnuts, oats and cinnamon in the center, then a drizzle of maple syrup. In the oven they turn soft and fragrant while the filling gets toasty. Top with yogurt for a healthy breakfast or ice cream for dessert. They are proof that pear and fig desserts can be light. Would your kids eat these?

You will need: You need: 4 ripe pears, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, 1/4 cup oats, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 2 tablespoons melted butter, 3 tablespoons maple syrup.

How to make it: Heat oven to 375F. Halve the pears and scoop out the cores. Mix walnuts, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and butter. Fill each pear. Place in a dish with a splash of water. Drizzle with maple syrup and bake 30 minutes until tender.

Chocolate Pear Tart

Pears and dark chocolate are a classic French pairing, and this tart shows why. Sweet pear slices rest in a rich chocolate almond filling, then get topped with toasted almonds and a cloud of whipped cream. It is rich but not heavy, and the fruit keeps every bite fresh. Bring this one to a holiday party and listen for the compliments. Chocolate makes pear and fig desserts feel extra festive.

You will need: You need: 1 tart crust, 4 ounces dark chocolate, 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 3/4 cup almond flour, 3 ripe pears, 1/4 cup sliced almonds, whipped cream.

How to make it: Bake the crust 10 minutes at 375F. Melt chocolate and butter, stir in sugar, eggs and almond flour. Pour into the crust. Arrange pear slices on top and sprinkle almonds. Bake at 350F for 35 minutes. Cool and top with whipped cream.

Fig Cheesecake, a Party Star Among Fig Desserts

A creamy vanilla cheesecake topped with fresh figs is a lovely twist for fall. The figs add a soft sweetness and beautiful color, and a few berries and mint leaves make it look like a bakery cake. Make it a day ahead so it has time to chill. Of all the pear and fig desserts here, this one is the party favorite. Poll: A) fig jam swirl, B) fresh figs on top, C) both?

You will need: You need: 1 1/2 cups graham crumbs, 5 tablespoons melted butter, 24 ounces cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar, 3 eggs, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/3 cup fig jam, 6 fresh figs, berries and mint.

How to make it: Press crumbs and butter into a springform pan. Beat cream cheese and sugar, add eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Pour in, then swirl in spoonfuls of fig jam. Bake at 325F for 50 minutes. Cool and chill overnight. Top with fig slices, berries and mint.

Fig and Ricotta Toasts With Honey

This is a dessert you can make in five minutes when guests drop by. Toasted slices of bread get a thick layer of creamy ricotta, fresh figs, a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of herbs. It is sweet, creamy and a little crunchy all at once. It also makes a lovely brunch or afternoon snack. Is this dessert or breakfast? Either way, it is one of the quickest pear and fig desserts around.

You will need: You need: 4 slices crusty bread, 1 cup ricotta, 6 fresh figs, 2 tablespoons honey, a few thyme or dill sprigs, pinch of flaky salt, crushed walnuts.

How to make it: Toast the bread until golden. Spread each slice with ricotta. Slice the figs and arrange them on top. Drizzle with honey. Add a little thyme, walnuts and a pinch of salt. Serve right away while the toast is still warm.

Pear Crumb Muffins

Soft, spiced muffins with juicy bits of pear and a crunchy brown sugar crumb on top are a fall morning treat. They come together in one bowl and freeze beautifully, so you can bake a batch now and enjoy them all week. The pear keeps them moist for days, which makes them the best keepers of all these pear and fig desserts. Are you a muffin top person or do you eat the whole thing?

You will need: You need: 2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2/3 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup oil, 1/2 cup milk, 2 chopped pears. Crumb: 1/3 cup flour, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 3 tablespoons butter.

How to make it: Mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and sugar. Whisk eggs, oil and milk and stir in. Fold in the pears. Fill 12 lined muffin cups. Rub crumb ingredients together and sprinkle on top. Bake at 375F for 22 minutes.

Rustic Fig Galette for Easy Fall Desserts

A galette is a pie for people who do not like to fuss. Roll out the dough, pile the figs in the middle and fold up the edges. It bakes into a golden, free form tart with juicy fruit in the center. A little orange zest in the filling makes it sing. Rustic pear and fig desserts like this one forgive every mistake. Do you love rustic more than perfect?

You will need: You need: 1 pie crust, 10 figs, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon orange zest, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon coarse sugar, honey to finish.

How to make it: Roll the crust into a 12 inch circle on parchment. Toss quartered figs with sugar, zest and cornstarch. Pile in the center, leaving a 2 inch border. Fold the edges over. Brush with egg and sprinkle sugar. Bake at 400F for 35 minutes. Drizzle with honey.

Cinnamon Baked Pear Chips

Thin pear slices baked low and slow turn into crispy, naturally sweet chips. Dust them with cinnamon and they taste like a cookie with no added sugar. They are a smart treat for lunchboxes and movie nights. For more cozy fall treats, see these pumpkin desserts. Which of these pear and fig desserts is going on your table this season?

You will need: You need: 3 firm pears, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, parchment paper.

How to make it: Heat oven to 225F. Slice the pears very thin with a sharp knife or mandoline. Brush with lemon juice. Lay flat on lined trays and dust with cinnamon. Bake 2 hours, flipping once, until dry. Cool on the tray so they crisp up.