Perfect Pears Fat-Free Dessert

Perfect pears fat-free dessert is a glorious ending to a healthy meal. Sweet, caramely and creamy, it is satisfying and guilt free!

I always need something sweet after dinner. And when I’m on a healthy kick, that usually means something less-than-satisfying. However, I’ve found a guilt-free, fat-free, caramelized, creamy and spiced-to-perfection dessert that leaves me as happy as a clam!

With just a few ingredients, fresh pears and a little skillet time, you have a treat that is all the decadence you need. Plus this is winter-time so pears are still delightfully in season and ripe to perfection.

I didn’t specify what variety of pear to use in this perfect pears fat-free dessert, because any variety will work. It can be a crisp sweet one, or a juicy Bartlett or Anjou. You choose whatever looks the best at your market. You’ll feel healthy just looking at them!

I mean just last night I was eating my world-famous chocolate chip cookies for dessert and they were amazing! But folks, today is a new day. I am determined to be a little more fat-free for a while. Especially since a few members of the fam and I just started a diet contest. There is big money on the line, and I need to win!

“Just knowing I have a perfect pears fat-free dessert to look forward to, gets me through my boring salad meal.” Said the sad dieter.

To make these fabulous treats I sauteed the sliced side of the pears in a skillet with orange juice. Yes juice! The juice cooks the pears to a delicious softness, while the natural sugars in the juice and pear begin to caramelize as they cook. It also creates this caramel sauce to drizzle over the pears when you serve them.

Use a nonstick skillet of course. Teflon is fine and works, but make sure yours is scratch free. Throw away those scratched Teflon pans, they aren’t healthy! I really like ceramic nonstick pans like this one from GreenPan. The ceramic doesn’t scratch so I can use metal spatulas, and it’s slick and slidey just like a nonstick should be.

Tasty fruit just wasn’t enough, so I added a dollop of fat-free Greek yogurt. The creaminess is what my mouth needed and then tang of the yogurt, with the sweet of the fruit is divine. Enjoy!

5 from 2 votes

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Perfect Pears Fat-Free Dessert

You'll fall for this luscious (and fat-free) seasonal dessert.

Ingredients

• 4 pears
• 1½ c orange juice
• 3 tbsp light brown sugar
• Fat free Greek Yogurt
• Cinnamon

Instructions

1. Slice pears lengthwise and remove seeds with a spoon. Place pears, sliced side up, in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat with orange juice and light brown sugar. Cover pan with lid or aluminum foil and simmer until pears begin to soften, about 5 min. Remove lid, turn pears over and simmer another 2 min.
2. Heat broiler with rack 6 inches from heat. Line a baking sheet with foil; transfer pears, sliced side up, to pan and broil 1 to 2 min until caramelized. Continue to simmer juice in skillet, scraping sides with a spatula as needed. Reduce sauce until just thickened and about ⅓ remains. Serve pears with fat-free Greek yogurt, cinnamon and sauce.

Just a little treat won’t hurt! I really won’t. It’s all about portion control, and eating a balanced diet. So if your sweet tooth still strikes, here are some other favorites.

Black Sesame Chocolate Chip Cookies have a surprise ingredient that brings out all the delicious flavors.

Ginger Pineapple Snack Cake is a great way to use seasonal fruit in your tasty desserts.

This post may include affiliate links. For more information please see my this one from GreenPan

Recipe by Tara Bench. Photographs by Miki Duisterhof. Prop Styling by Jen Everett. Food Styling by Jee Levin. Originally published Nov 2009 in Ladies’ Home Journal