Spiced Chai-Infused Poached Pears with Mascarpone

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pears poached in fragrant chai tea syrup, served with a dollop of smooth mascarpone for a sophisticated and warming dessert. This mediterranean-inspired desserts ready in about 45 minutes layers ripe Bosc pears, water, chai tea bags 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 280 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Peel 4 ripe Bosc pears, leaving stems intact, and core the bottom ends slightly to help absorb the syrup.
  2. Step 2: In a large saucepan, bring 3 cups water to a boil. Remove from heat and steep 3 chai tea bags for 10 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Remove tea bags and add 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 4 whole cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, and 1 tbsp lemon juice to the chai-infused water. Return to a simmer.
  4. Step 4: Add the peeled pears to the simmering syrup and poach gently for 20-25 minutes until pears are tender when pierced with a knife.
  5. Step 5: Remove pears carefully and allow to cool slightly.
  6. Step 6: Whisk 1 cup mascarpone cheese with 2 tbsp honey until smooth and creamy.
  7. Step 7: Serve each pear halved or whole with a generous spoonful of mascarpone and a sprinkle of 1/4 cup chopped toasted pistachios for crunch.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Chai-Infused Poached Pears with Mascarpone take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (15 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 Spiced Chai-Infused Poached Pears with Mascarpone?

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 Spiced Chai-Infused Poached Pears with Mascarpone?

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 Spiced Chai-Infused Poached Pears with Mascarpone 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 Spiced Chai-Infused Poached Pears with Mascarpone?

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.

Related recipes