Baked Pears with Berries, Honey, Walnuts & Blue Cheese Recipe
There’s something magical about a dish that feels both luxurious and effortless at the same time, and Baked Pears with Berries, Honey, Walnuts & Blue Cheese is exactly that kind of recipe. Sweet, juicy pears get cozy with an irresistible mix of berries, a drizzle of golden honey, a sprinkling of crunchy walnuts, and a tumble of tangy blue cheese. The result is a dessert that’s wonderfully balanced: fruity, creamy, nutty, and just a bit savory. Whether you’re serving guests or just treating yourself, this easy fusion dish is guaranteed to wow anyone who tries it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the joys of Baked Pears with Berries, Honey, Walnuts & Blue Cheese is that it leans on a handful of fresh, honest ingredients. Each one plays an important part – from the base of perfectly ripe pears to the burst of berries and the punchy kick of blue cheese.
- Pears: Choose ripe but firm Bosc, Anjou, or Bartlett pears. They’ll hold their shape beautifully while baking and soak up all the other flavors.
- Mixed fresh berries: Blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries add juicy sweetness and a pop of color to the dish.
- Honey: A floral honey drizzled over the top brings everything together with gentle sweetness. Try local honey for a unique twist!
- Walnuts: Chopped walnuts give this dessert the crunch it craves and a touch of earthy flavor. Lightly toast them for bonus nuttiness.
- Blue cheese: The big flavor star! Crumbled blue cheese melts slightly over the warm pears, adding creaminess and tangy depth.
- Unsalted butter: Just a bit of melted butter adds to the richness and helps the pears caramelize as they bake.
- Fresh lemon juice: A teaspoon wakes up the berries and balances all the sweetness.
- Ground cinnamon: Warm, comforting cinnamon infuses the fruits with cozy spice.
- Fresh mint leaves (optional): Sprigs of mint bring color and a clean, herbal finish as a garnish.
How to Make Baked Pears with Berries, Honey, Walnuts & Blue Cheese
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pears
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While that warms up, halve your pears, core them gently, and brush their cut sides with melted butter. This ensures they’ll turn soft and lush while staying beautifully golden. Arrange the pear halves, cut-side up, snugly in a baking dish so they don’t slide around while they bake.
Step 2: Mix the Berries
In a small bowl, combine your fresh berries with lemon juice and a sprinkle of cinnamon. This little mixture will make the berries extra vibrant, juicy, and just tart enough to balance the sweet honey later on. Spoon this mix evenly into the hollow centers of your pears, packing them in so every bite is jammy and bright.
Step 3: Layer on the Honey and Walnuts
Now for the golden touch: drizzle the pears and berry filling generously with honey, making sure each pear gets a sweet glaze. Sprinkle the chopped walnuts over the top. They’ll toast and turn fragrant as everything bakes, creating that signature crunch in each bite.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Loosely cover the baking dish with foil and pop it into the oven for 20 minutes. This allows the pears to soften gently and the flavors to mingle. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes. The pears should be tender but still holding their shape – the perfect dessert texture!
Step 5: Add the Blue Cheese and Serve
As soon as the pears come out of the oven, sprinkle each one with a generous amount of crumbled blue cheese. The residual warmth will soften and slightly melt the cheese right into the fruit and berries. Garnish with fresh mint if you like and serve these beauties warm – Baked Pears with Berries, Honey, Walnuts & Blue Cheese are at their best straight from the oven.
How to Serve Baked Pears with Berries, Honey, Walnuts & Blue Cheese
Garnishes
A fresh finish can take Baked Pears with Berries, Honey, Walnuts & Blue Cheese from special to spectacular. Mint leaves add a brilliant green pop and a cool contrast to the warm, syrupy fruit. For a touch of sparkle, a light dusting of extra cinnamon or a hint of lemon zest works magic. If you want added texture, try a sprinkle of toasted oats or granola.
Side Dishes
These pears make a fantastic, slightly decadent dessert course, but they also shine as part of a cheese board or brunch spread. Pair them with crisp prosciutto, a simple green salad, or slices of crusty baguette to transform the experience into a light lunch or sophisticated appetizer.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, serve each pear half on an elegant dessert plate with a tiny drizzle of extra honey and a dusting of chopped walnuts. For a rustic brunch, arrange the halves on a big platter and let guests help themselves. You can even hollow out the pears a little extra and heap in more berries for a more dramatic look—Baked Pears with Berries, Honey, Walnuts & Blue Cheese are as flexible with presentation as they are with flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (lucky you!), let the pears cool completely before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep well for up to two days, and the flavors only deepen and meld as they sit.
Freezing
While you can freeze Baked Pears with Berries, Honey, Walnuts & Blue Cheese, the fruit texture becomes much softer after thawing. If you choose to freeze, wrap each pear half tightly and freeze for up to one month. When you’re ready to enjoy, defrost overnight in the fridge—just know the berries may bleed a bit of color, and the cheese is best added fresh after reheating.
Reheating
Warm up leftover baked pears in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or use short bursts in a microwave for a quicker fix. If your blue cheese has already melted, you can add just a touch more after reheating to refresh the creaminess. These pears are lovely warm or at room temperature.
FAQs
Can I make Baked Pears with Berries, Honey, Walnuts & Blue Cheese vegan?
Absolutely! Just replace the honey with maple syrup and choose a plant-based blue cheese alternative. The results are still delightful, with all the beautiful contrasts of flavor and texture.
What type Dessert
Bosc, Anjou, and Bartlett pears are fantastic choices because they hold their shape during baking and don’t turn mushy. Pick pears that are ripe but still quite firm for best results.
Can I use frozen berries instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen berries if fresh aren’t available. Just be sure to thaw and drain them well to avoid extra liquid, which can make the dessert a little runny.
Is there a milder cheese I can use instead of blue cheese?
Of course! Gorgonzola or goat cheese are both wonderful, milder alternatives. You’ll still get a creamy, tangy finish, but with a gentler flavor profile if blue cheese isn’t your thing.
Can I prepare Baked Pears with Berries, Honey, Walnuts & Blue Cheese ahead of time for a party?
You sure can. Prepare the pears and stuff them in advance, then cover and refrigerate the assembled dish before baking. When it’s time to serve, just pop them in the oven as directed and finish with blue cheese right before serving.
Final Thoughts
I hope this has inspired you to gather some juicy pears and a handful of treats to make Baked Pears with Berries, Honey, Walnuts & Blue Cheese. It’s the kind of recipe that lives at the intersection of easy comfort and impressive flavor. I promise, your kitchen will smell incredible and your tastebuds will thank you—invite friends, serve it up warm, and watch it disappear!
Print
Baked Pears with Berries, Honey, Walnuts & Blue Cheese Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful combination of sweet baked pears topped with a medley of fresh berries, crunchy walnuts, a drizzle of honey, and savory blue cheese. This dessert is a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Ingredients
Pears:
- 4 medium ripe but firm pears, halved and cored
Berry Mixture:
- 1 cup mixed fresh berries (such as blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries)
Additional Toppings:
- 3 tablespoons honey
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- ½ cup crumbled blue cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the pears: Brush the cut sides of the pear halves with melted butter and arrange them cut-side up in a baking dish.
- Make the berry mixture: In a small bowl, toss the berries with lemon juice and cinnamon. Spoon the mixture into the hollow centers of each pear.
- Add toppings: Drizzle honey over the pears and berries, then sprinkle walnuts on top.
- Bake: Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until pears are tender.
- Add blue cheese: Sprinkle each pear with blue cheese while still warm to allow it to soften.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with mint leaves if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- Bosc, Anjou, or Bartlett pears are recommended for baking.
- For a milder flavor, consider using gorgonzola or goat cheese as a substitute for blue cheese.
- To make this recipe vegan, use maple syrup instead of honey and a plant-based blue cheese alternative.
- For added crunch, sprinkle granola or oats before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pear half with toppings
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
