Description
This delightful dessert features baked pears filled with a juicy medley of mixed berries, drizzled with honey, and topped with crunchy walnuts and tangy blue cheese. Lightly spiced with cinnamon and brightened with lemon juice, these baked pears make a perfect autumn treat that balances sweetness, creaminess, and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Pears and Fruit
- 4 ripe but firm pears, halved and cored
- 1 cup mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Dry Ingredients & Toppings
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- optional fresh thyme leaves for garnish
Sweeteners & Fats
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish to prevent sticking and arrange the pear halves cut-side up in the dish.
- Brush and season pears: Brush each pear half with melted butter, then drizzle evenly with fresh lemon juice. Sprinkle ground cinnamon and salt evenly over the pears for subtle spice and flavor enhancement.
- Add berries and honey: Spoon the mixed berries into the hollowed center of each pear half. Drizzle honey generously over the pears and berries to add natural sweetness and help caramelize the fruit during baking.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake the pears for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the pears are tender but still retain their shape. The berries will soften and meld with the pears.
- Top with walnuts and cheese: Remove the pears from the oven. While still warm, immediately sprinkle the chopped walnuts and crumbled blue cheese over each pear half to allow them to slightly melt and release their flavors.
- Cool and garnish: Let the pears cool slightly before serving to allow flavors to meld. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves if desired for a herbal note and elegant presentation.
Notes
- Choose pears that are ripe but still firm to avoid them becoming too mushy when baked.
- For a milder cheese flavor, substitute blue cheese with goat cheese.
- To enhance the walnuts’ flavor, toast them lightly before chopping and adding.
- This dessert can be served warm or at room temperature.
- Fresh thyme is optional but adds a lovely aromatic touch.
