Baked Pears with Goat Cheese, Honey, and Cranberries
Elegant and cozy baked pears stuffed with creamy goat cheese, topped with a warm cranberry and honey sauce, and lightly spiced with cinnamon. Perfect as a beautiful appetizer, holiday side dish, or light dessert, these roasted pears bring together sweet, tart, and creamy flavors in a simple, stunning presentation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 halves (3 servings) 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pears and Filling
- 3 ripe but firm pears (Bartlett or Bosc), halved and cored
- 3 oz goat cheese
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Cranberry Sauce
- 1/3 cup fresh cranberries
- 2 tbsp honey (plus more for drizzling)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for roasting the pears.
- Prepare Pears: Slice the pears in half lengthwise and scoop out the cores. Trim the bottoms if necessary so they can sit flat in the baking dish, ensuring even cooking.
- Arrange and Butter: Place the pear halves cut-side up in a baking dish. Add a small pat of unsalted butter to the center of each pear half to add richness during roasting.
- Roast Pears: Roast in the oven for 20 minutes or until the pears become fork-tender and develop a beautiful golden color, signaling they are perfectly cooked.
- Simmer Cranberries: While the pears roast, combine fresh cranberries and 2 tablespoons of honey in a small saucepan over low heat. Simmer until the cranberries begin to burst slightly, creating a warm, sweet-tart sauce.
- Fill Pears: Remove the roasted pears from the oven and let them cool slightly. Fill each pear half with creamy goat cheese, which will add smoothness and tang.
- Top with Cranberries and Honey: Spoon the warm cranberry mixture over the goat cheese in each pear. Drizzle with additional honey for extra sweetness and shine.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, sprinkle with ground cinnamon and garnish with fresh mint leaves to add aromatic freshness and color. Serve the baked pears warm or slightly chilled to suit your preference.
Notes
- Choose pears that are ripe but still firm to ensure they hold their shape during roasting.
- If Bartlett or Bosc pears are unavailable, use similar varieties that bake well, such as Anjou.
- Adjust honey quantity for drizzling based on your desired sweetness level.
- For a vegan version, substitute goat cheese with a plant-based soft cheese and use vegan butter.
- These baked pears can be served as an elegant appetizer, festive side dish, or a light dessert.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and gently reheated before serving.