Description
This elegant dessert features ripe pears baked to tender perfection, filled with a delightful mix of cranberries and walnuts, drizzled with honey, and topped with tangy blue cheese. A subtle hint of cinnamon adds warmth, making it a perfect balance of sweet, tart, and savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pear Filling
- 3 ripe pears, halved and cored
- 1/2 cup fresh or dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
Topping
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy clean-up.
- Prepare Pears: Halve the pears and carefully scoop out the cores, creating a cavity perfect for stuffing. Arrange the pears cut-side up in the prepared baking dish.
- Make Filling: In a small bowl, mix the cranberries and chopped walnuts thoroughly, then spoon this mixture into the center cavity of each pear half.
- Add Honey and Cinnamon: Drizzle each filled pear generously with honey for sweetness and sprinkle ground cinnamon over them if using, to add a warm, aromatic flavor.
- Bake Pears: Place the baking dish uncovered into the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the pears are tender and cooked through.
- Add Blue Cheese: About 5 minutes before the baking time is complete, remove the dish briefly and top each pear half with crumbled blue cheese. Return the dish to the oven to allow the cheese to melt slightly and warm.
- Serve: Once baked, let the pears cool slightly to a warm temperature before serving, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
Notes
- Use ripe but firm pears to ensure they hold their shape when baking.
- Fresh cranberries can be used for tartness; dried cranberries add sweetness and chewiness.
- For a milder cheese flavor, substitute blue cheese with goat cheese or feta.
- Optional ground cinnamon enhances the dessert with warm spice notes but can be omitted for a simpler taste.
- Serve as a warm dessert, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: baked pears, cranberry dessert, honey walnuts, blue cheese pears, autumn dessert, easy pear recipe
