Description
This elegant and delicious dessert features baked ripe pears topped with a vibrant mix of fresh berries, crunchy walnuts, creamy blue cheese, and a drizzle of honey. Finished with an optional garnish of fresh thyme, this dish perfectly balances sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, making it a sophisticated treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pears
- 4 ripe pears, halved and cored
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
Toppings
- ½ cup mixed fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries)
- ½ cup walnuts, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Fresh thyme sprigs (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Pears: Place the halved and cored pears on the baking sheet, cut-side up. Brush each pear generously with melted butter to ensure they bake to a beautiful golden finish.
- Bake Pears: Bake the pears for 15-20 minutes, or until they become tender but still retain their shape. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before adding toppings.
- Add Berries and Cheese: Evenly distribute the mixed fresh berries over each baked pear half. Then sprinkle crumbled blue cheese on top, allowing the slight warmth of the pears to soften the cheese for a delightful texture.
- Finish with Walnuts and Honey: Sprinkle the chopped walnuts over the pears and drizzle honey generously to add sweetness and crunch.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally garnish with fresh thyme sprigs for an earthy aroma and serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute blue cheese with goat cheese or feta for a milder flavor.
- If fresh berries are unavailable, frozen berries can be used but thaw and drain excess liquid before using.
- For a vegan variation, replace butter with coconut oil and skip the blue cheese or use a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Serve as a standalone dessert or alongside vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt.
- Adjust baking time depending on pear ripeness and size to avoid over-softening.
