Honey-Roasted Pears with Spiced Mascarpone Cream
Juicy pears roasted in honey and warm spices served alongside a lightly sweetened mascarpone cream with cinnamon and nutmeg. This mediterranean-inspired desserts ready in about 40 minutes layers halved and cored ripe Bosc pears, honey, melted unsalted butter 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 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.
Ingredients
- 4, halved and cored ripe Bosc pears
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, mix 1/3 cup honey, 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg until combined. Place 4 halved and cored Bosc pears cut side up on a baking sheet.
- Step 2: Brush the honey-spice mixture generously over each pear half. Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes until pears are tender and caramelized around the edges.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk 1 cup mascarpone cheese with 2 tbsp powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 tsp lemon juice until smooth and fluffy.
- Step 4: Serve the warm honey-roasted pears topped with a dollop of the spiced mascarpone cream.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Roasted Pears with Spiced Mascarpone Cream 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 Spiced 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-Roasted Pears with Spiced 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-Roasted Pears with Spiced 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-Roasted Pears with Spiced Mascarpone Cream?
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.
