Simple Spiced Baked Quince

Name: Simple Spiced Baked Quince
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: mediterranean
Ingredients: 3 pcs quince (large, firm, washed); 4 tbsp honey; 0.5 cup water; 2 pcs cinnamon stick (broken in half); 2 pcs star anise (whole); 1 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed); 1 pinch salt; 0.5 cup yogurt (thick, for serving); 1 tbsp pistachio (roughly chopped, for garnish)

RATING

0.0/5

TASTE SCORE

8/10

A rustic, aromatic dessert where tart quince transforms into tender, rose-hued slices after a long, slow bake with honey, cinnamon, and star anise. The fruit's natural pectin creates a luscious, syrupy glaze that clings to every piece. Perfect served warm with a dollop of yogurt or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

PREP

10m

COOK

SERVES

1 CUP

214 cal

SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS

For 4 servings

3 pcsquince · large, firm, washed4 tbsphoney½ cupwater2 pcscinnamon stick · broken in half2 pcsstar anise · whole1 tbsplemon juice · freshly squeezed1 pinchsalt½ cupyogurt · thick, for serving1 tbsppistachio · roughly chopped, for garnish

NUTRITION · PER SERVING

214

CALORIES · 1 CUP

Protein3g · 6%

Carbs51g · 95%

Fat2g · 8%

Fiber5g

Sugar36g

Saturated fat0g

Cholesterol2mg

Sodium67mg

Potassium507mg

Phosphorus96mg

How we calculate →

METHOD · 5 STEPS

prep · ~10 min
Preheat the oven and prepare the quince.
1.Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2.Using a sharp knife, cut each quince into quarters. Leave the skin on for color and texture.
3.Remove and discard the woody core and seeds from each quarter.
4.Arrange the quarters in a single layer in the baking dish.
TIPQuince flesh oxidizes quickly. Squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the cut pieces as you work to keep them from browning too much.
prep · ~2 min
Make the spiced honey syrup.
1.In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, water, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
2.Pour the mixture evenly over the quince.
3.Tuck the cinnamon sticks and star anise into the liquid between the fruit pieces.
bake · ~60 min
Bake covered until tender.
1.Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
2.Bake for 60 minutes, until the quince is easily pierced with a paring knife and has taken on a blush-pink hue.
TIPThe slow, covered bake is crucial. Quince is rock-hard when raw and needs the steam to soften properly.
bake · ~30 min
Uncover and bake until glazed.
1.Remove the foil from the baking dish.
2.Continue baking for another 25-30 minutes, basting the quince with the pan juices once halfway through.
3.Bake until the juices have reduced to a glossy syrup and the edges of the quince look slightly caramelized.
TIPWatch closely during the last 10 minutes. The honey syrup can go from perfectly glazed to burnt quickly.
assemble · ~10 min
Rest and serve.
1.Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. The syrup will thicken slightly as it cools.
2.Spoon the warm quince and syrup into serving bowls.
3.Top with a dollop of thick yogurt and a scattering of chopped pistachios.
TIPFor the best flavor, discard the cinnamon sticks and star anise before serving, or leave them in the dish as a beautiful rustic garnish.

PRO TIPS

What to keep in mind.

6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.

1
Use a sharp, heavy knife to cut quince — their dense flesh is surprisingly tough.
2
Rub cut quince with lemon juice immediately to prevent rapid browning.
3
Arrange quince in a single layer so they cook evenly and absorb syrup.
4
Baste the quince halfway through the uncovered bake for a more even glaze.
5
Let the quince rest 10 minutes after baking so the syrup thickens naturally.
6
Discard star anise and cinnamon sticks before serving if you prefer a milder spice flavor.

RECIPE VARIATIONS

Adapt it for your goals.

vegan

Vegan

Replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar. The flavor shifts slightly but remains aromatic and luscious — perfect for plant-based diets.

low sugar

Low-sugar

Reduce honey to 2 tbsp and add 2 tbsp of allulose or erythritol. The quince will still soften but the syrup will be lighter — great for those watching sugar intake.

citrus twist