Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

Pear Squares

Teresa Ambra

Pear Squares are so very delectable. These lovely cake-type bars are made with pears and cinnamon on a nutty crust. They’re actually very moist and better the second day rather than the first! The flavors mingle even more and it’s just a wonderful dessert you can make any time of the year.

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I’ve used this basic recipe a lot over the years. Sometimes I make it with the crust layer and top layer like in this case (which is the way the original recipe had it). I’ve also made it mixing all of the ingredients together without a separate crust layer. That works just as well in my opinion. I’ve also melted the butter for the crust layer rather than working the butter in with a pastry cutter. (My favorite method although I didn’t use that method for this dessert). I’ve made it with apples and I’ve made it with peaches. All versions are mouthwatering and wonderful.

My husband and I went to a Trustee meeting at the end of February where we spent several days with former colleagues and friends. We had a delightful time and I brought goodies with me. I gave the Pear Squares to the event planner/coordinator and to another gal who she works with to help pull these meetings together every year. I made Monster Brownies for some friends who are rotating off the board, Chocolate Chip Almond Cookies for the current President, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Surprise Brownies for the COO and his family who was retiring.

Everyone loved and raved over the treats. I made so many goodies for John’s company over the past two and a half decades that everyone loves our cookies and brownies. I would bake cookies almost weekly for John to take on visits when he traveled. Such an easy thing to do, but everyone loved them. To this day, we still hear from people who received a batch of cookies from us and loved them.

Well the Peach Squares were no different. One of the gals texted me back after the meetings telling how much she enjoyed being able to sit down and eat some of them after the meetings were over (and all that hard work of meeting preparation was done).

You don’t find a lot of desserts made with pears and that’s really a shame, because they are really good in pies, cobbler, and breads, as well as stuff like oatmeal, pancakes, soups or salads. If you enjoy pears, you’ll love them in this scrumptious Pear Squares recipe. Enjoy.

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

Pear Squares are heavenly!

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

Every bite will have you drooling.

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

These cake-type bars are moist and nutty!

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

If you have an abundance of pears, this is a delightful way to use them.

Here’s what I did.

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

I used these ingredients for the crust layer.

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

Place unbleached flour, brown sugar and butter in a mixing bowl.

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

Use a pastry blender to work the butter into the flour mixture. (See my note below for another option).

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

This mixture will resemble coarse crumbs.

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

Add nuts and stir to combine.

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

Press 2 3/4 cups of the crust mixture into a greased 9×13″ glass baking dish; set aside.

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquaresPear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

I used these ingredients for the pear layer, plus the remaining amount of flour/nut mixture not used in the crust layer.

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

Place remaining flour/nut mixture in mixing bowl. Add egg, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, sour cream and vanilla.

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquaresPear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

Mix with an electric mixer until smooth.

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

Add pears.

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

Stir to combine.

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

Spread pear layer over top of crust layer in baking dish.

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

Cool completely before sprinkling with powdered sugar.

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

Pear Squares are great treats to make up for company.

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

Take them to potlucks, backyard barbecues or Family Reunions.

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

These are also good for holiday dinners like Easter, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

If you enjoy pears, give this recipe a try!

Here’s the recipe.

PEAR SQUARES

(Recipe inspired from Pillsbury’s 1975 Contest Winning Sour Cream Apple Squares–a recipe I found on the Internet back in the very early 1990s.)

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

Pear Squares

Teresa Ambra
Pear Squares are so delectable. These moist and nutty cake-type bars are filled with cinnamon and pears. They're just what you need when you have a sweet tooth craving! Great dessert for company and holidays like Easter, Mother's Day or Father's Day.
1.60 from 15 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Cakes and Cheesecakes, Cookies, Brownies and Bars, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 209 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9×13" glass baking dish
  • 2 large mixing bowls
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • 1 electric mixer
  • 1 nut chopper if nuts are not previously chopped
  • 1 sharp knife to peel, pare and dice pears
  • 1 pastry blender (see note below)
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour (Bleached flour toughens baked goods)
  • 2 cups light brown sugar packed
  • 1/2 cup salted butter cold (1 stick) (see note below)
  • 1 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped (measure after chopping)
  • 2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. sea salt
  • 1 cup sour cream or plain Icelandic yogurt or Greek yogurt
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cups pears peeled and diced (about 2 medium to large pears)
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar for topping after squares have cooled

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar and butter.
  • Work a pastry blender into the mixture until it forms fine crumbs. (See my note below).
  • Stir in walnuts.
  • Place 2 ¾ cups of the crumb mixture into a greased 9×13” baking pan.
  • Press down firmly.
  • Add the remaining ingredients (except for the pears) to the remaining crumb mixture.
  • Blend well with an electric mixer.
  • Stir the pears into the batter.
  • Spoon the batter evenly over the crumb base in the pan.
  • Bake at 350° for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  • Cool before cutting.
  • Best if you let wait 24 hours before cutting.
  • Sprinkle with powdered sugar before cutting.
  • Store loosely covered.

Notes

NOTE: I have made this recipe several times over the years. I think it’s easier to melt the butter and just stir the flour, brown sugar and melted butter with a fork. Then add the walnuts and follow the recipe as directed above by using 2 ¾ cups of this mixture and pressing into the baking dish. It’s much easier to work with this way and doesn’t seem to change the overall consistency of the squares much.
 
Recipe inspired by Pillsbury’s 1975 contest winner, Sour Cream Apple Squares.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen
 

Nutrition

Calories: 209kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 138mgPotassium: 91mgFiber: 1gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 195IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 1mg
Keyword brownie, cake, cookie, dessert, pear squares, pears
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquaresPear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

I have tried this fantastic contest winning recipe with apples, peaches and pears and all work marvelously.

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

Pear Squares really are delightful. On top of that they will quickly cure any sweet tooth cravings you have.

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

Your family and company will demolish these jewels in no time.

Pear Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delicious cake-type #cookies are moist, nutty and filled with #pears, #cinnamon & #nutmeg. Wonderful #dessert any time you have company & for #holidays like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. Every bite is mouthwatering & delicious. #PearSquares

These squares are cake-like in texture, rather than having a consistency like brownies or cookies. They are still fantastic to the taste buds! Plan on having this dessert devoured in no time!

You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!

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Apple Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

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Fresh Pear Pie

Fresh Pear Pie | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

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