Baked Pears with Cranberries, Honey, Walnuts & Blue Cheese
This elegant yet simple dessert (or impressive appetizer) balances sweet, tangy, crunchy, and savory flavors. It’s perfect for a holiday gathering, dinner party, or a special weekend treat.
Ingredients
For the pears:
· 4 firm, ripe pears (such as Bosc or Anjou)
· 1 tablespoon lemon juice (to prevent browning)
· 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the filling/topping:
· 1/3 cup dried cranberries
· 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
· 2-3 ounces crumbled blue cheese (or Gorgonzola)
· 2-3 tablespoons honey, plus more for drizzling
· 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
· Pinch of freshly ground black pepper (enhances the cheese flavor)
For serving (optional):
· Arugula or mixed greens (if serving as a salad/appetizer)
· Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (if serving as a dessert)
Instructions
1. Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish just large enough to hold the pear halves.
2. Prepare Pears: Cut the pears in half lengthwise. Use a melon baller or small spoon to carefully remove the core and seeds, creating a small well. Brush the cut sides with lemon juice to prevent browning.
3. Arrange: Place the pear halves, cut-side up, in the prepared baking dish. Brush the tops with the melted butter.
4. Fill & Top: In a small bowl, mix the cranberries and walnuts. Divide this mixture among the pear halves, pressing gently into the wells. Drizzle each pear with about ½ tablespoon of honey.
5. Bake: Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the pears are tender when pierced with a fork (baking time will vary with pear ripeness and size).
6. Add Cheese & Finish: Remove the pears from the oven. Immediately top each warm pear with crumbled blue cheese. The residual heat will soften it slightly.
7. Serve: Transfer the pears to serving plates. Drizzle with additional honey, a sprinkle of cinnamon (if using), and a crack of black pepper. Serve immediately.
Serving Suggestions
· As a Dessert: Place a warm pear half in a bowl and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream.
· As an Appetizer/Salad: Serve a warm pear half on a bed of peppery arugula, dressed simply with a vinaigrette. Perfect for a festive starter.
Tips for Success
· Choose pears that are fragrant and just slightly give at the stem, but are still firm. Overly soft pears will become mushy when baked.
· Don’t skip the black pepper! It’s a classic pairing with blue cheese and enhances the overall flavor profile.
· For a flavor boost, you can toast the walnuts in a dry pan for a few minutes before chopping.
· If your cranberries are very dry, soak them in warm water or orange juice for 10 minutes, then drain, before using.
Enjoy this beautiful and delicious combination of flavors and textures!