Breakfast gets fancy.
Beautiful Pears
I love pears; yet I rarely think to put them on my grocery list. I’ll pick up raspberries for oatmeal, grapefruit for a pre-run snack, bananas for my favorite Chocolate-Chip Banana Bread…
I usually skip right by the quiet, unassuming pears. Recently, however, a recipe for pear muffins caught my eye, prompting me to purchase a few. And yesterday morning I abandoned my muffin plans, slicing the green beauties up for breakfast instead.
I’m capricious like that.
Vanilla-Pear Breakfast Cobbler
(Serves 2-3)
Based on this recipe.
- 2 1/2 cups sliced pear
- 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tbsp arrowroot or cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp each cinnamon and ginger
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup plus 1/4 cup shredded wheat, crushed (I used Post wheat-n-bran. You can try rice chex or crispies or flake cereal for a gluten-free version. Granola works, too.)
- 2 tbsp maple syrup, agave, or brown sugar (If I’m serving this to friends, I’ll add the sweetener. But I actually like the recipe without it. So if you want a very slightly-sweet recipe, you can omit.)
- 1 packet nunaturals stevia or omit and add 2 extra tbsp of the sugar or maple syrup.
- 1 tbsp melted margarine (such as Earth Balance) or sub oil and add 1/8 tsp salt. If you want a fat-free crisp, double the applesauce called for below, and omit the margarine.
- 1 tbsp applesauce (For a more buttery taste, replace this with an extra tbsp of the margarine)
- 1 container yogurt of choice: vanilla or plain (I used SoDelicious coconut-based yogurt)
- optional: 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract if using plain yogurt
Preheat oven to 350F. Mix the pears, lemon, arrowroot, spices, 1/2 the salt, and 1/2 the sweetener in a bowl. Let sit for ten minutes. Meanwhile, stir the crushed cereal, remaining sweetener, remaining salt, melted margarine or oil, and applesauce in a bowl until well-blended. Spread the pear mixture in a small baking pan (such as a 4×7), and top with the cereal mixture. Bake for 45 minutes.
See the bottom of the linked post for Calories and Nutrition Info.
Just before serving, mix each portion with some of the yogurt. Alternatively, you can skip the yogurt and serve the breakfast cobbler with a scoop of vegan ice cream instead!
Question of the Day:
Do you have any “fancy breakfast” recipes?
French toast, waffles, crepes… Yesterday, when a reader on facebook asked me for suggestions, I realized I don’t have recipes for any of these on my blog! They’re all now on my to-make list. As for fancy breakfast recipes I do have:
These are pretty fancy: Hot Apple Pie Pancakes.
Annie @ Naturally Sweet Recipes says
I love fancy breakfasts! That looks delicious! I like french crepes. Those always make the morning feel special. 🙂
T says
This looks so good! I love pears too, but I’ll either buy an entire sack and eat them one after the other, or forget about them totally for months. They don’t get enough love…
Ali @ Peaches and Football says
Funny – I love pears but rarely think to pick them up from the store either. They really are delicous though!
Rebecca @ Naturally Healthy and Gorgeous says
I love pears! That looks great!
Melissa says
Just a heads up to folks who might not know, be *really* careful with conventional brands of boxed cereals. Most of them have vitamin D listed but they don’t specify if it’s D2 or D3. Most brands use non-vegan D or the source varies, so they can’t ever guarantee what version is in the box from batch to batch.
It’s a bummer!
http://www.mighty-flighty.com/2011/01/vitamin-d-sources-in-cereal/
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
This looks and sounds divine! My fancy breakfast recipes are usually quiche or french toast casserole.
Hilliary @Happily Ever Healthy says
I love your purple bowl, so fun! Pears are one of my favorite fruits, I will def. be trying this!
Sarah the official CCK drooler :) says
Ok, this is sooo stinkin’ weird. SO a couple of days ago, daddy buys a BUNCH of pears. and all kinds too. Bartlett, Bosc, and some other I cant think of. He wanted us to try each one and see what we liked. Now, we have a gazillion pears. And no recipe. Yea, well that just changed. Now we have a gazillion pears- and a recipe. Tomorrow, we will have no pears and a recipe. Oh dear.
p.s.- i appointed my self the official drooler. It’s a dream job 🙂
Sarah the official CCK drooler says
Oh, and my family does fancy breakfasts all the time……… cuz my mm is constantly cookingup something new. Crepes, french toast, cinnamon buns, strawberry laced waffles etc. Cant a girl have a bowl of cereal and done with it? 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
LOL Sarah, your new name is too funny… and made me smile so much!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
I absolutely LOVE pears, I can’t wait to get home because some family friends always send us Harry and David pears for the holidays! My dad and I tend to fight over them…
Anna @ The Guiltless Life says
Ooh yum. I love that you give so many great breakfast ideas! We can get stuck in breakfast ruts too often (and fruit ruts – I hear ya, I barely ever buy pears. I always saw them as apple’s more watery counterpart :p)!
Qi Ting @ A Dessert Diet says
Well… no one’s stopping me from having a three-layered cake for breakfast that’s for sure 😀
Kit-Kat says
A “fancy” breakfast is usually for special feast days, holy-days, and holidays. It consists of something scrambled (eggs for the non-vegans and tofu scramble for me) with home-made toast and hashed browns and veggie sausage; pancakes and fruit; scones and scrambled and the veggie sausages; waffles and fruit; french toast and fruit; or a BIG oatmeal buffete (when my grandmommy and grandaddy are here, they LOVE to elaborate on breakfast).
Did you use Bosc, Anjou, or Bartlett pears for your recipe?
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
LOL they were green… Bosc? Can you tell I don’t know my pears very well?
Liz says
I miss waffles–please hook us up, Katie!
GetSkinnyGoVegan says
I would buy pears by the case if they wouldn’t ripen so irregularly!!
Sometimes it seems like they go bad before they ever ripen!
Jamie @ Don't Forget the Cinnamon says
I always seem to have the same problem–it’s so frustrating!
The only ones that are consistently good are the Harry and David ones that my dad gets sent as a Christmas present every year. Can’t wait can’t wait can’t wait!
Jamie @ Don't Forget the Cinnamon says
I love doing crepes for a fancy breakfast!
I’m also all about toast with jazzed up topping–it may not BE fancy but it sure LOOKS fancy!
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says
A chocolate covered strawberry smoothie that is beautiful and delicious!!!
Jennifer JCD says
Oooh, pretty! I don’t like pears but my husband loves them. I am going to make him this over Christmas break. 🙂 I love making him fancy breakfasts but always overlook those ‘pear’ recipes because I don’t like them… I can make this with pear for him and peach for me – yummy!
We have lots of fancy breakfast recipes. The Fronch Toast recipe in ‘Vegan with a Vengeance’ is really good. We also love making chocolate waffles, crêpes, English breakfast, and breakfast sundaes! Mind you, boatmeal can be done up to be fancy too!
Heather @ Run Eat Play says
I love pears – your recipe looks yummy! My breakfasts are usually fast and easy. My most involved is peanut butter French toast.
Patricia Blundll says
I so love pears. This is a breakfast that would be right up my alley. I too tend to buy several and then sit and eat them until they are all gone. I also love fried pies made with pear butter/sauce. I comes out like thick applesause. The fried pies can be made by baking them, They are just as good. I am not a vegan, but I keep looking at all the recipes and I may turn into one.
But alas, I love fish, and a big steak at least once a month. So don’t turn away from me.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
LOL I would never! My favorite people in the world all eat meat (parents, sister, best friends) :).
Honestly, I think it’s better sometimes for people to just cut back on how much meat they consume, as opposed to eliminating it completely. I’ve seen so many people who quit meat cold turkey (bad pun) get overwhelmed and then give up completely :(.
lisa says
I don’t know if I would call it fancy, but I love some baked apples and steel cut oats topped with a little peanut butter and a pinch of sugar
Sophie says
ooohh this is one of my favorites from yours Katie! This combination sounds delicious.
Megan says
Delicious! I do love pears too, but only think to buy them when I happen to see them on sale in ads. I love them in a salad with green apple, cinnamon almonds, tempeh bacon, cinnamon vinaigrette, and goat cheese. I am excited to try your breakfast cobbler! I happen to have three pears right now! As for fancy brekkies, sometimes I make banana pancakes with chocolate “syrup” (aka almond butter) or a breakfast banana split. I have wanted to make breakfast bakes but never take the time!
Char @ www.charskitchen.ca says
Ooohhh I wish I had pears! Somehow I don’t think oranges would be quite so good in this 😉 Will have to make this on the weekend 🙂
Andrea says
This looks SO yummy! I LOVE pears but don’t buy them enough either! I am definately going to have to try this recipe!!
Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner) says
This looks SO delicious!! I love cobbler, and having it for breakfast would be awesome! 😀
And PLEASE make a french toast recipe!! I can’t wait to try vegan french toast!!
Alex@Spoonful of Sugar Free says
Love pears, but like you, I always skip over them in the grocery!
I feel like waffles and homemade granola are kinda fancy…but they are both so easy!
Bitter Chocolate Waffles: http://spoonfulofsugarfree.com/2011/08/11/bitter-chocolate-waffles/
Pumpkin Spice Latte Granola: http://spoonfulofsugarfree.com/2011/09/23/pumpkin-spice-latte-granola/
Catalina Maya says
Ooh, what a treat! I haven’t had waffles for quite some time, but I’ve never had CHOCOLATE waffles before!
How many servings does your recipe yield? Thanks — I will definitely be making them soon! 😀
Amanda says
I love pears but hardly cook with them, but really love when I do. This looks so yum yum!! I love poached pears, they are my favorite!!
Dalai Lina says
Every day when I see another creative post I think, how does she do that? Keep cooking 🙂
Moni'sMeals says
Fancy indeed and so well worth it. This looks just great Katie. Love pears and I need to buy them more. 🙂
Lisa says
stuffed french toast!!! I <3 it!! 🙂
Rande @ The Vegetable Centric Kitchen says
Well my my, this *is* fancy 🙂 My breakfast is usually a green juice so if I feel like something “fancy” its carrot juice with cocoa powder 😀
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
fancy breakfast? does adding vanilla stevia to coffee count? 🙂
I love pears too. And cute purple dish!
Aja says
A fancy breakfast would totally turn around my day. I will have to try this. You come up with the most amazing stuff.
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says
In my house, “fancy” = pancakes. 😉
Sarah @ blueeyedbarbie.blogspot.com says
I love that bowl!
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
How pretty!! Fancy 😀 I love it 🙂
Katie @ ohshineon.wordpress.com/ says
looks tasty… i love switching up breakfast ideas when my regular routine is running out of steam. i’m not a huge fan of pears, but i do love strawberries and blueberries… so i’m thinking of a mixed berry breakfast cobbler!
Kaitlyn@TheTieDyeFIles says
Pears are so soft, sweet, and tasty. And I love the purple bowl!
Jane H. Johansen @ Nord Vegan says
Om nom nom! I would love to try this for breakfast!
Tara says
Single serving bread pudding is a delicious “fancy” breakfast. I like parfaits too! I won’t lie… I frequently make “lava cake” for breakfast… but it’s healthy! I need to try a cobbler for breakfast!!
Karen says
Question: I use many of your recipes or modifications of your recipes for my kids cooking class at the YMCA. Thanks, Katie! The recipes often come single portion sized which is perfect. I only have 45 minutes to do class but I’ve been wanting to do something great with pears. I have silicone muffin cups and a new super cool toaster oven. How long do you think individual ones would take? Would you make any other modifications for single servings?
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Hi Karen,
Unfortunately, I never know how something will work until I try it out!
Also, I just wanted to make sure you’re crediting me as the source of the recipes for your class… I’m afraid this sounds so petty, but there’s a reason: I’m working on a cookbook and therefore don’t want my recipes passed around without credit :).
Karen says
Thanks! I completely understand about the recipes. I frequently simplify the recipes I get online or modify them for a 5 yo palate, but I tell everybody including my classes and the people who stop to talk to me in the grocery store about your blog!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Aww Karen, thank you so much. That really means a lot to me :).
Katie @ Nutrition in a peanut shell says
Oooh this does sound really fancy! My dad makes the best blueberry waffles. And I had a nutella crepe in France…..heaven.
AikoVenus says
Ooh, I never thought of doing that – although I do make my own little baked oatmeal with apples, my fanciest breakfast would be a french toast/vanilla pecan souffled pancake.
Kelly @ Foodie Fiasco says
I can’t believe I’ saying this, but your photos are getting even BETTER. I mean, they were amazing before, but I mean now… They’re breathtaking. Keep it up. 🙂
Lauren says
I feel the same way about pears! I think I avoid them because they don’t travel as well at times, but they are tasty. Your cobbler looks great!
As for fancy breakfast, I think it’s my favorite thing to make. This week I did a Matcha Breakfast Cake with a coconut banana filling. You can check it out here if you’re interested: http://cravingsgoneclean.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/make-it-a-matcha-morning/
LizAshlee says
I luv pears..yum! I luv that bowl too…such a beautiful color-I have been keeping my eye out for some new dinnerware for photos!
Kristen-vanillabeanvegan says
Looks delicious. I love that bowl. I agree I often overlook pears, but will have to put them on the grocery list to make this!!
Kathleen says
And I happen to have a pear in my fridge RIGHT now. 😀
Amy says
Just made this, and it is PERFECT! Sooo good. So much flavor and a perfect combination of healthy and delicious for breakfast!
Steve says
I love pears and i love cobbler and a fat free cobbler sounds like it can be worked into my diet as a replacement for the crushed granola bar and 5 percent yogurt i normally have in the evening, and with only 230 cals its much better looking to me.
Julia says
Just finished my first yummy bowl! I assume that apples could also be used in place of pears?
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Oh definitely! 🙂
Jenny D says
I made this and loved it! I have two pear trees and wanted to make something other than pearsauce. I used Kashi’s Blueberry Cluster cereal since that is what I had on hand and didn’t want to just use oats. After I ate it though I realized I forgot to add vanilla to make it vanilla-pear cobbler. I don’t see it listed in the ingredients so I completely over-looked it. Next time I will add some and I am sure it will be even better!
I make my own plain yogurt so maybe if I had used vanilla in the yogurt then I would have gotten the vanilla part right. It was still amazing though and obviously didn’t even miss it:)
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Thanks for letting me know! I used vanilla yogurt, so I definitely did want to mention that you should add it if using plain. 🙂
Kittykins says
Oh Katie.. just wanted to say that you are the cutest. And I adore all your ideas!!
Erin says
Katie, this was great! Such a nice change from my typical oatmeal breakfast (I’ve been meaning to try another of your million oatmeal recipes). It was super good, and when I went to get out the leftovers I was pretty sad to find my husband had beat me to it.