Honey-Baked Pears with Mascarpone and Toasted Walnuts
Warm roasted pears drizzled with honey, topped with creamy mascarpone and crunchy toasted walnuts for an elegant dessert. This mediterranean-inspired desserts ready in about 40 minutes layers halved and cored ripe pears, honey, mascarpone cheese into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 310 calories and feeds 2, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2, halved and cored ripe pears
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1/4 cup, roughly chopped walnuts
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange 2 halved and cored ripe pears cut-side up in a baking dish.
- Step 2: Brush the pear halves with 1 tbsp melted unsalted butter and drizzle evenly with 3 tbsp honey.
- Step 3: Sprinkle 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon over the pears and 1 tbsp lemon juice to brighten flavors.
- Step 4: Roast pears for 25-30 minutes until tender and golden, basting once halfway through with honey juices.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, toast 1/4 cup roughly chopped walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and slightly browned.
- Step 6: Remove pears from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Step 7: Spoon 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese evenly over the warm pears.
- Step 8: Sprinkle toasted walnuts on top and drizzle with any remaining honey from the pan before serving warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Baked Pears with Mascarpone and Toasted Walnuts take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Honey-Baked Pears with Mascarpone and Toasted Walnuts?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Baked Pears with Mascarpone and Toasted Walnuts?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Honey-Baked Pears with Mascarpone and Toasted Walnuts for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Honey-Baked Pears with Mascarpone and Toasted Walnuts?
Mediterranean desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
