Honey-Roasted Pears with Mascarpone and Toasted Walnuts
Tender oven-roasted pears drizzled with honey, topped with creamy mascarpone cheese and crunchy toasted walnuts for a sophisticated dessert. This mediterranean-inspired desserts ready in about 40 minutes layers honey, melted unsalted butter, 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 280 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 3 large, halved and cored ripe but firm pears
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Place 3 large pears halved and cored in a baking dish cut side up. Brush evenly with 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter and drizzle with 1/4 cup honey. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon over the pears.
- Step 2: Roast pears for 25-30 minutes until tender and caramelized, basting once halfway through with pan juices.
- Step 3: While pears roast, toast 1/2 cup chopped walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat.
- Step 4: When pears finish roasting, let cool slightly. Spoon 1 cup mascarpone cheese over each pear half and sprinkle toasted walnuts on top. Drizzle with 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice for brightness before serving warm or at room temperature.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Roasted 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-Roasted 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-Roasted 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-Roasted Pears with Mascarpone and Toasted Walnuts for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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-Roasted 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.
