Description
Baked Pears with Cranberries & Pecans is a cozy, wholesome dessert blending soft ripe pears with tart cranberries and crunchy toasted pecans, complemented by natural sweeteners and warm spices. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for any season, offering balanced flavors that are elegant enough for special occasions yet simple for everyday enjoyment.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits
- 4 firm, ripe pears (Bosc or Anjou), halved and cored
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Nuts
- 1/2 cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped
Sweeteners & Spices
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Other
- 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Prepare the Pears: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wash the pears, slice them in half lengthwise, and gently scoop out the cores to create a cavity for the filling. Sprinkle lemon juice over the pear halves to prevent browning and add freshness.
- Make the Filling: In a bowl, combine fresh or thawed cranberries with toasted pecans, cinnamon, and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. Mix well until the ingredients are evenly coated and flavors meld.
- Assemble the Pears: Place the pear halves cavity side up in a baking dish. Generously spoon the cranberry and pecan mixture into each cavity. Dot the pears with small pieces of butter to aid caramelization and enrich the flavor during baking.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the pears in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until tender and the topping is golden and bubbly. Check pearls with a fork to ensure they are soft but not mushy.
- Serve Warm: Let the pears cool slightly before serving to enjoy their warm, luscious flavors and inviting aroma.
Notes
- Use firmer pear varieties like Bosc or Anjou to ensure they hold their shape when baked.
- Toast pecans gently in a dry skillet for 3-5 minutes to enhance flavor and crunch.
- Adjust the amount of honey or syrup based on pear ripeness and personal taste preference.
- Use a shallow baking dish to ensure even cooking and heat distribution.
- Allow the baked pears to rest a few minutes after baking to let flavors settle and avoid burns.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 baked pear half with filling
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 12mg