salted caramel pear cobbler

Name: Salted Caramel Pear Cobbler
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 66 min
Ingredients: 1 cup granulated sugar; 6 tbsp salted butter, cut into chunks; 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp heavy cream; pinch of flaky sea salt; 11 large bartlett pears (About 13 cups *they should be justtt ripe); 1 cup brown sugar, packed; 2/3 cup all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled (87 grams); 2 1/2 tsp cinnamon; 3/4 tsp nutmeg; 1/8 tsp ground cloves; 1/8 tsp salt; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/3 cup salted caramel sauce; 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled (390 grams); 3 tsp baking powder; 3/4 tsp salt; 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp granulated sugar; 1/8 tsp cinnamon; 3/4 cup salted butter, cold and cut into large cubes (1 and 1/2 sticks or 170 grams); 1 cup + 2 tbsp buttermilk, cold; splash of heavy cream, cold, for topping; sprinkle of raw sugar or cinnamon sugar, for topping

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Pear Cobbler is made with fresh spiced pears, luscious homemade salted caramel sauce, and flaky, buttery biscuits. It’s an easy dessert but it’s still impressive enough to serve for a special occasion!

A baking dish of pear cobbler with ice cream on top and a serving spoon digging in.

This is one of the easiest cobbler recipes you’ll make – the fruit filling comes together in the baking dish, the biscuit topping is completely unfussy, and the whole thing is topped off with that magical fall elixir – salted caramel sauce.

Why you’ll love this Pear Cobbler:

Fresh Pears – This cobbler uses fresh, juicy sweet pears! This seasonal fruit is completely underrated and shines in this easy pear cobbler recipe.
Salted Caramel – Salted caramel sauce pairs perfectly with the pears in this sweet treat.
Buttery Biscuits – The cobbler topping is crisp on top, and ultra light & fluffy inside. And, there’s no folding and turning required, keeping this an easy recipe.

A plate of pear cobbler with a scoop of ice cream and drizzle of salted caramel sauce.

Ingredient Overview:

Ripe Pears – Use ripe bartlett pears. Check for ripeness by gently squeezing the pear – if there’s some give, they’re ripe. Avoid rock hard or mushy pears. They should be *just* ripe.
All-purpose flour – Just a bit of flour helps thicken the cobbler so it’s still juicy, but not runny.
Salted Caramel Sauce – Homemade salted caramel sauce adds extra depth of flavor to this cobbler recipe.
Spices – Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves enhance the pear flavor without overwhelming.
Butter – I always use salted buter for the best flavor, but feel free to use unsalted butter if you prefer.

Ingredient Substitutions:

Buttermilk – You can use regular milk and lemon juice to substitute for buttermilk. Full details are in the recipe card below.
Salted Caramel – You can use store bought caramel sauce in a pinch.
Dairy-Free – Use your favorite dairy-free milk and butter to keep this recipe dairy-free.
Pears – Use whatever type of pear you like best – use Bartlett, Green or Red Anjou, or Comice Pears. Or, use a mix!

How to Make this Pear Cobbler Recipe Step-by-Step:

Step 1: Make the Salted Caramel Sauce. This can be done up to a week ahead. Cook sugar down in a pot until it liquifies, then whisk in butter and heavy cream. It takes just 10 minutes! Let this chill until it’s semi thick but still pourable.

A jar of salted caramel sauce on a wooden surface.

Step 2: Make the Pear Filling. Slice your pears, and toss them together in a buttered baking dish with the remaining filling ingredients. Let the pear mixture rest while you make the biscuit topping. (It’s not going to look super pretty at this point, but that’s normal!)

A baking dish of the pear filling on a wooden surface.

Step 3: Make the Biscuit Topping. Whisk together your dry ingredients in a large bowl, then cut in the butter, and stir in the buttermilk until a dough forms.

A bowl of the slightly wet, shaggy biscuit mixture.

Step 4: Assemble the Cobbler & Bake. Give the pear filling a stir, then pour on the salted caramel sauce and gently stir it in. Scoop the biscuit topping with an ice cream scoop or large spoon into blobs about 4 tbsp in size and place these on the top of the pear filling. Bake until deep golden brown and bubbly! This has a long bake time, but it needs it – just follow the directions in the recipe card.

The unbaked pear cobbler with the unbaked biscuit topping on a wooden surface.

Step 5: Dig In! Serve this while it’s nice and warm from the oven, with an extra drizzle of caramel sauce and a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or even caramel ice cream for a twist!

The baked pear cobbler topped with salted caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream on a light tan surface.

Expert Success Tips:

Fluffy Biscuits – Be sure your butter and milk are nice and cold going into the biscuit dough for the best results.
Pears – Don’t use overripe pears or they will get mushy in the oven. They should be *just* ripe, and have a bit of give while not feeling too soft or mushy.

FAQs:

Can I make this recipe ahead?

Somewhat. You could make the biscuit dough ahead, scoop it onto a sheet pan, and store it in the fridge, covered well. The caramel sauce can be made up to a week ahead and stored in the fridge. Make the fruit filling when you’re ready to make the whole cobbler, it won’t hold up if you make it ahead of time.

Can I cut this recipe in half?

Yes, feel free to cut it in half and bake in a 8 or 9 inch round or square pan.

Can I use other fresh fruit with the pears?

Yes! See variations below for some excellent choices.

Recipe Variations:

Cranberries – Feel free to omit 1-2 cups of pears and add in cranberries (fresh or frozen) in the same amount, for a Cranberry Pear Cobbler.
Apples – Feel free to do the same as above with apples. Be sure to slice them 1/4″ thick so they aren’t too thick to cook through.

A plate of pear cobbler with a bite taken and melty ice cream.

Serving + Storing this Pear Dessert:

This delicious cobbler recipe is best fresh from the oven, while it’s nice and warm. The biscuits won’t be as crisp on the next day. But, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 more days. Reheat in the oven to bring the crispness back into the biscuit topping.

Special Tools:

Cookie Scoop – I used this scoop for the biscuits in this cobbler, and I use it for making larger, bakery-style cookies.
Pastry Cutter – A pastry cutter makes cutting butter into dry ingredients super easy for biscuits, pie crust, scones, and more.

A close up of a spoon digging into the pear cobbler, with melty streams of vanilla ice cream running into the filling.

More Fall Baking Recipes to Love:

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