BAKED PEARS WITH GOAT CHEESE
Baked Pears with Goat Cheese, honey, and pecans are an easy yet elegant dessert—sweet, tender, and full of flavor. Enjoy warm from the oven, and for an extra touch of sweetness, serve with vanilla, chocolate, or pistachio ice cream.
Equipment
- Baking dish or baking sheet
- Parchment paper (optional)
Ingredients
- 3 large Bosc pears cut in half and cored
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed (optional)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon or more to taste
- 1/2 cup goat cheese (about 6 tablespoons)
Walnut Topping
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup Pecans, chopped use raw, unsalted pecans or walnuts
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 teaspoon Sea salt or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375℉ (190℃). Lightly spray a baking pan (any size that large enough to fit the halved pears) or line baking sheet with parchment paper. Set a side. Wash the pears under cold water and slice them in half lengthwise. Use a melon baller or a regular small spoon to remove the core and seeds, creating a small well for the filling. Discard the seeds.
- Optionally, you can trim a thin slice from the rounded backside of each pear half so they sit upright in the baking dish. You can also lightly brush the cut sides with lemon juice to prevent browning, though this step is optional.
- Next, arrange the pears, core side up, in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Brush the cut sides with melted butter, then sprinkle evenly with cinnamon-feel free to add more cinnamon if you'd like.
- Transfer the baking dish to the center of the oven and bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, or until the pears are soft and lightly browned on the edges. At 35 minutes, my pears still have a little ‘bite,’ the way I prefer. However, this will vary depending on the size and type of pears used—many will take closer to 40 minutes. If you prefer softer pears, bake them for up to 45 minutes.
- When about 5 minutes of the baking time remains place butter, chopped pecans and honey in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 1 minute, until the mixture is well combined. While the pears are baking, gently mix the goat cheese in a small bowl.
- Once the pears are perfectly roasted, carefully remove them from the oven. While they're still warm, fill the indentation of each pear with about 1 rounded tablespoon of goat cheese.
- Spoon hot pecans mixture over the goat cheese on the baked pears. Transfer to a serving platter or individual plates. Serve warm, drizzle more honey on top if desired. Finish with a light seasoning of salt to enhance all the flavors. Enjoy!
- Store leftovers: If you have any leftover baked pears, allow them to cool, then transfer them to an airtight container. Store the container in the refrigerator, and they should keep for up to 1-2 days.
Notes
Nutritional information is an estimate for 1/2 of a baked pear per person.
Best Pears to Use: For this recipe, you'll want to use pears that hold their shape while baking. I highly recommend Bosc pears, as they are crisp and don't fall apart during baking. Bosc pears are especially popular for their slightly spiced flavor and their ability to stay firm after baking. If you can't find Bosc pears, other varieties that work well include Concorde, Bartlett and Anjou pears.
Nutrition
Calories: 154kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 5gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 75mgPotassium: 147mgFiber: 4gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 240IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 1mg
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