Fold in the diced pear. Pour the batter over the sliced pears in the pan and smooth the top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the gingerbread comes out clean, about 45 minutes.

These funky specimens get peeled and diced for one of our favorite chilly day soups: vegetarian sweet potato pear soup. This soup is a winner when seasonal sweet potatoes and pears hit the market.

Baltimore-based chef Spike Gjerde loves the versatility of this recipe. "I add everything from fresh blueberries to chocolate chips," he says. "Of course the cakes are great with just diced apple, too ...

When preparing the scones, ensure all ingredients are well-chilled, even the diced pear and crumbled gorgonzola, until the moment of adding them.

In a medium bowl, combine the diced pear and apple with the cranberries. Add 1 tablespoon of the sugar and the cinnamon and toss to coat. In a large bowl, beat the butter until creamy.

IDEA ALLEY: Reader recipes for chicken and slicker dumplings, caramel-glazed pear cake October 24, 2023 at 8:00 p.m. by Kelly Brant ...

This trio of recipes takes fruit butter to the next level of easy by using a hands-off oven-roasting method, fruit juice as a sweetener and already-pureed canned pumpkin.