Baked Quinces with Honey – No Sugar, Naturally Sweet Greek Dessert

These baked quinces with honey are one of the healthiest and most aromatic traditional Greek desserts. Slow-roasted in red wine, cognac, and spices, they become soft, glossy, and deeply flavored — without a single gram of refined sugar. A guilt-free, elegant dessert that tastes like autumn in Greece.

Baked Quinces with Honey – No Sugar, Naturally Sweet Greek Dessert

Recipe by George Zolis

5.0 from 1 vote

Course: DessertCuisine: GreekDifficulty: Easy

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

1

hour 

30

minutes

Calories

190

kcal

Total time

1

hour 

45

minutes

Healthy baked quinces infused with red wine, honey, cinnamon, and cloves. A naturally sweet Greek dessert with no added sugar – just pure, aromatic flavor.

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Ingredients

Metric US

• 4-5 4-5 Large Quinces

• 250 g 1 cup Red Wine

• 80 g 1/3 cup Brandy

• 100 g 1/2 cup Honey

• 10 10 Cloves

• 2 2 Cinnamon Sticks

• 2 liters 8 cup Water

• Juice of 1/2 Lemon

Recipe directions

• In a bowl, mix 2 liters (8 cups) of water with lemon juice.
• Wipe the quinces with a towel to remove the fuzz.
• Cut into quarters, remove the seeds, and place in the lemon water to prevent browning.
• Arrange the quince quarters in a baking dish, side by side.
• Wrap the cinnamon sticks and cloves in cheesecloth, tie, and place in the center of the dish.
• In a bowl, mix honey with cognac and drizzle over the quinces.
• Pour red wine evenly over the top.
• Cover the dish with parchment paper and foil.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (390°F) (static heat) for 1 hour.
• Uncover, remove the spice pouch, and carefully flip the quinces.
• Bake uncovered for another 30 minutes, until golden, caramelized, and syrupy.

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Naturally Sweet, Traditionally Greek

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s both healthy and elegant, these baked quinces with honey are the perfect choice. This recipe transforms simple quinces into a soft, amber-colored dessert full of Mediterranean aroma — with no added sugar at all.

The combination of red wine, cognac, honey, and cinnamon creates a rich, caramel-like syrup that coats each piece of fruit beautifully. Slow baking brings out the quinces’ natural sweetness and turns them tender without falling apart.

A Dessert That Feels Like Autumn

This traditional Greek recipe is often made during fall, when quinces are in season. It’s naturally sweetened with honey — making it perfect for those who want to avoid refined sugar without sacrificing taste.

Serve the quinces warm or chilled, with a drizzle of syrup from the pan. They pair beautifully with Greek yogurt, vanilla ice cream, or even a spoon of mascarpone.

Tips for Perfect Baked Quinces

• Choose ripe, aromatic quinces for the best flavor.
• Don’t skip the spice pouch — it infuses the dessert with warmth and depth.
• For extra shine, brush the quinces with a little honey before serving.

This recipe embodies the heart of Greek home cooking — simple, natural ingredients and the slow pleasure of transformation.

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• Greek Quince Paste (Kydonopasto)
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