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Transform your mornings or end your evenings on a sweet note with this luxurious Caramelized Pear Yogurt Parfait Recipe. Featuring tender, golden-brown caramelized pears nestled atop creamy vanilla Greek yogurt and crowned with crispy brown sugar granola; this dish is the perfect balance of indulgence and nutrition. Whether you’re looking for a healthy parfait to start your day or a delicious treat to satisfy your sweet tooth, this recipe delivers.
Crafted with Bosc pears or Anjou pears, these parfaits highlight the natural sweetness of juicy pears enhanced by a bit of brown sugar, honey, and warm spices. Topped with crunchy granola, it’s a great way to enjoy dessert without feeling guilty. Serve these pear yogurt parfaits as a fancy breakfast, a satisfying snack, or an elegant dessert for guests.
Let’s dive into how to make this not-so-sinful whip of a dish!

The Chemistry of Caramelized Pears and Granola
The magic of this recipe lies in the caramelization process, where sugar undergoes a transformation under heat to create deeper, more complex flavors. Here’s how science plays a role:
- Caramelized Pears: When cooking pears with brown sugar, butter, and spices, the heat causes the sugars to break down and form hundreds of new flavor compounds. This is why the pears develop that rich, toffee-like aroma and golden-brown color.
- Adding Heavy Cream: Creates a luscious sauce by emulsifying the fat and sugar, giving the caramelized pears their velvety texture.
- Crunchy Granola: The Maillard reaction occurs as the oats and coconut toast in the oven, creating nutty, roasted flavor.
- Egg Whites: Binds the oats together, creating crispy clusters.
- Greek Yogurt: Rich in grams of protein, the yogurt adds a tanginess that balances the sweetness of the pears and granola, creating a perfect harmony of flavors.
By understanding these processes, you can control the cooking stages to create your desired level of sweetness, crispiness, or creaminess.

What is in Caramelized Pear Yogurt Parfaits?
Pears
Perfectly ripe pears with natural sweetness are key to this recipe.
Melted Butter
Adds richness and enhances caramelization.
Honey
A natural sweetener that pairs beautifully with pears.
Brown Sugar
The foundation of the sweet, sticky caramel sauce.
Vanilla Extract
Adds depth and aromatic sweetness.
Heavy Cream
It balances the sweetness and creates a luscious caramel sauce.
Cinnamon and Nutmeg
Warm spices that bring out the pears’ flavor.
Oats
Provides some fiber. Absorbs liquid in the dough or batter, making a chewy texture. It adds a slight nutty flavor and a layer of nutritional value, making baked treats slightly more wholesome.
Maple Syrup
Do not use imitation, the real thing is better. Adds a distinct flavor and sweetness to your treat, while also softening it.
Fine Sea Salt
Enhances flavor, adds balance, masks any bitter flavors. Salt is the most powerful and oldest preservative. Always make sure to use fine sea salt so it melts down at the right speed in the heat of the oven. If you use larger granule salt, it will not melt down fully when baked and will leave salt crystals throughout your treat, making it crunch like you dropped it into sand. All of my favorite salts are from Redmond and I have a discount code for you to get 15% off.
Egg White
Helps the granola form clusters for added crunch.
Vanilla Greek Yogurt
Choose plain yogurt for a lighter option.

How do you make caramelized pear yogurt parfaits?
Caramelized Pears
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
- Peel and halve the pears. Use a melon baller or small spoon to scoop out the seeds.
- Place the pears in a greased baking sheet or a 9×13 pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream. Pour this sugar mixture evenly over the pears.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Flip the pears and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until golden and caramelized. Let cool to room temperature.
Brown Sugar Granola
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a small stovetop pan, melt butter, maple syrup, vanilla, and brown sugar over medium heat. Stir until smooth.
- Mix oats, coconut, cinnamon, and sea salt in a large bowl. Pour the melted mixture over the oats, stirring to coat evenly.
- Whisk the egg whites in a small bowl until frothy and fold it into the oats to promote crispy clusters.
- Spread the granola on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes. Stir, then bake for another 15 minutes. Cool completely before using.
Assemble
- Cut the caramelized pears into small pieces or slices.
- In 12 glasses, layer vanilla Greek yogurt at the bottom of each glass.
- Add a generous portion of caramelized pears with the leftover caramel sauce drizzle.
- Top with the crunchy brown sugar granola.
- Serve immediately for a warm dessert or chill for a refreshing quick mix.

Tips for Success
- Choose the Right Pears: Use ripe but firm Bosc pears or Anjou Pears for the best results.
- Cook Evenly: Make sure the pears are tender by poking them with a fork before removing them from the oven. If you would rather them be less brown – toss the pears in lemon juice before baking.
- Customize Your Granola: Add crushed nuts, dried fruit, or pure maple syrup for extra variety.
- Room Temperature Assembly: Let all components cool to room temperature before layering to maintain texture.

Creative Serving Ideas
- Parfait Bar: Create a DIY parfait station with toppings like crushed cookie, nuts, or coffee syrup for guests to customize their desserts.
- Dessert Swap: Serve the caramelized pears over ice cream or pancakes instead of yogurt.
- Mini Parfaits: Use espresso mugs for portion-controlled servings or a fancy presentation.
Are caramelized pear yogurt parfaits healthy?
They are packed with 10 grams of protein per serving, mainly from the yogurt and fiber from the pears and oats. This recipe is perfect for a healthier dessert during the winter months.
Storage Tips
- Granola: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
- Caramelized Pears: Keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in a medium-high heat skillet or microwave before serving.
- Assembled Parfaits: Store in the fridge for up to 24 hours, but add granola right before serving to keep it crisp.
Recommended Products
Why make a caramelized pear yogurt parfait?
- Versatility: Perfect as a good snack, healthy parfait, or a decadent dessert.
- Nutritious & Delicious: Packed with protein from yogurt, fiber from oats, and vitamins from pears.
- Easy to Customize: Swap plain yogurt for flavored, or add toppings like crushed nuts or maple cream.
- Seasonally Inspired: The warm spices and caramel flavors make this ideal for the winter months.
- Elegant Yet Simple: Serve in beautiful glasses with layers for an impressive presentation.
This caramelized pear yogurt parfait recipe is a great way to enjoy the best flavors of the season. With tender pears, a rich caramel sauce, and crunchy granola, it’s a delicious treat for any time of day. Whether you’re hosting guests or indulging your own sweet tooth, this recipe is as satisfying as it is beautiful.
From healthy parfaits to indulgent desserts, these pear yogurt parfaits will quickly become a favorite. Perfect for first time or experienced cooks, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Try it today and enjoy a moment of bliss with every bite!

FAQs
What type of pears work best for caramelizing?
Anjou or Bosc pears are ideal due to their firm texture, which holds up during cooking. Bartlett pears can also work but may turn out very soft.
Can I use store-bought granola?
Yes, but homemade granola adds a fresh, toasty flavor and allows you to control the sweetness and ingredients.
How do I keep my yogurt parfaits from getting soggy?
Assemble the parfaits just before serving. If making ahead, keep the granola separate and add it when ready to eat.
Can I make this parfait dairy-free?
Absolutely! Use a plant-based yogurt (like almond or coconut) and replace the butter in the pears and granola with a non-dairy alternative like coconut oil.
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- Egg Breakfast Sandwich

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Caramelized Pear Yogurt Parfait Recipe
Ingredients
Caramelized Pears
- 6 pears
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Vanilla Greek Yogurt
- 1 quart vanilla greek yogurt
Browned Sugar Granola
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 egg white
Instructions
Caramelized Pears
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
- Peel and half all the pears. Scoop the center seeds out with a melon baller or a small spoon.
- Spray a 9×13 pan with non stick spray and place the pears in the pan.
- In a separate bowl mix 1/2 cup melted butter, 2 tbsp honey, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 nutmeg, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp vanilla and 1/2 cup heavy cream.
- Pour the brown sugar mixture over the pears.
- Place the pan in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, flip the pears over with a fork and bake an additional 15 minutes.
- Remove and allow to cool a bit before serving.
Brown Sugar Granola
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- In a small saucepan, add 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/3 cup brown sugar, and 1/3 cup unsalted butter. Place over medium low heat and allow the ingredients to melt.
- In a separate bowl add the dry ingredients: 3 cups oats, 1/2 cup shredded coconut, 1 tsp cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp fine sea salt. Stir until combined.
- Pour the melted ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir until the oats are fully coated.
- In a small bowl whisk the egg white until frothy.
- Fold the frothy egg white into the oats.
- Pour the granola mixture onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes; after 30 minutes, stir the granola with a spatula and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Remove and allow to cool before serving.
Assemble
- Cut up the caramelized pears to bite size pieces (best served a little warm- not hot)
- In 12 parfait dishes scoop out a large scoop of vanilla greek yogurt.
- Top with caramelized pears and some leftover caramel sauce from the pan.
- Add brown sugar granola on top & enjoy! Makes a great breakfast or dessert.
Nutrition
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