Description

These Baked Pears with Goat Cheese, Honey, and Cranberries offer a deliciously sweet and tangy treat perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or light dessert. Soft ripe pears are halved and stuffed with a creamy goat cheese and honey mixture, baked until tender and golden, then topped with dried cranberries, crunchy nuts, and an optional herbal garnish for added flavor and texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Pears

4 ripe pears (Bosc or Anjou)

Goat Cheese Filling

4 oz goat cheese, softened
2 tbsp honey (plus extra for drizzling)
1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
A pinch of salt

Toppings

1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Fresh thyme or rosemary (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

Prepare the Pears: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the oven is hot enough to bake the pears evenly.
Cut and Core the Pears: Cut the pears in half lengthwise and use a melon baller or spoon to carefully remove the core and seeds, leaving the skin intact for texture and presentation.
Arrange Pear Halves: Place the pear halves cut-side up in a baking dish. If needed, position a small piece of foil or parchment paper under the pears to help keep them stable while baking.
Prepare the Goat Cheese Filling: In a bowl, combine the softened goat cheese with 2 tablespoons of honey, a pinch of salt, and cinnamon if using. Mix until smooth and evenly blended.
Stuff the Pears: Spoon the goat cheese mixture into the hollow center of each pear half, filling the cavity where the core was removed.
Drizzle Honey: Lightly drizzle honey over each stuffed pear to add sweetness that caramelizes during baking.
Bake the Pears: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pears are tender and the edges are golden brown.
Add Toppings: Remove the pears from the oven and sprinkle with dried cranberries and chopped nuts if desired for added crunch and flavor.
Final Drizzle and Garnish: Drizzle a little more honey over the top for extra sweetness and garnish with fresh thyme or rosemary if using, for a fragrant finish.
Serve: Serve the baked pears warm or at room temperature as a delightful appetizer, side dish, or light dessert.

Notes

Choose firm yet ripe pears like Bosc or Anjou for best results; softer pears may become mushy when baked.
Walnuts or pecans add crunch but are optional; omit for nut allergies.
Use fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to add aromatic complexity, or skip if unavailable.
Adjust honey quantity to taste, especially if you prefer a sweeter or milder dish.
These pears can be prepared ahead and reheated gently in the oven before serving.