Honey Ginger Sake Poached Pears with Mascarpone Cream

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Delicate pears poached in honey-sweetened sake and fresh ginger, served with a luscious mascarpone cream for an elegant dessert. This japanese-inspired desserts ready in about 55 minutes layers ripe but firm pears, peeled and cored, sake, water 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 320 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Japanese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large saucepan, combine 2 cups sake, 1 cup water, 1/3 cup honey, 2 tbsp thinly sliced fresh ginger, and 1 tsp lemon zest. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve honey.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 peeled and cored pears standing upright in the liquid. Cover and poach gently for 20-25 minutes, turning pears once halfway through, until tender when pierced with a knife.
  3. Step 3: Remove pears from poaching liquid and set aside to cool. Increase heat and boil poaching liquid until reduced by half and syrupy, about 10 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, whip 1 cup mascarpone cheese with 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1 tsp vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
  5. Step 5: Serve each pear topped with a generous dollop of mascarpone cream, drizzle with reduced syrup, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped toasted almonds.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey Ginger Sake Poached Pears with Mascarpone Cream take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Ginger Sake Poached Pears with Mascarpone Cream?

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 Ginger Sake Poached Pears with Mascarpone Cream?

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 Ginger Sake Poached Pears with Mascarpone Cream for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Ginger Sake Poached Pears with Mascarpone Cream?

Japanese 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.

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