Baked Pears with Honey

This elegant baked pear dish transforms ordinary fruit into a sophisticated appetizer or dessert with minimal effort. The combination of warm, tender pears with creamy feta and sweet-tart cranberries creates a perfect balance of flavors that will impress your guests without hours in the kitchen.

I first served these baked pears at a holiday gathering when I needed something quick but impressive. The compliments poured in so enthusiastically that they've become my signature entertaining dish whenever I want to elevate a meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

• 4 ripe but firm pears: Choose Anjou or Bosc varieties for their sturdy texture that holds up well to baking
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese: The tangy saltiness contrasts beautifully with the sweet pears
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped: Adds a tart complexity and festive color
• 2 tablespoons honey: Local varieties offer more complex flavor profiles
• 1 tablespoon olive oil: Use a good quality extra virgin for best flavor
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves: Fresh herbs make all the difference here
• Salt and pepper to taste: Just a pinch enhances all the other flavors
• Optional chopped walnuts for garnish: Adds wonderful textural contrast and nutty depth

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat the Oven:

Set your oven to 375°F and allow it to fully preheat while you prepare the pears. A properly heated oven ensures even cooking and caramelization of the fruit.

Prepare the Pears:

Select ripe but still firm pears and cut them in half lengthwise. Using a melon baller or small spoon, carefully scoop out the core and seeds, creating a small well in the center of each half. Leave the stems intact for visual appeal if possible.

Arrange and Fill:

Place the prepared pear halves cut side up in a baking dish that fits them snugly. Drizzle each pear with olive oil, ensuring they're lightly coated. Divide the crumbled feta cheese equally among the pear cavities and sprinkle with chopped cranberries, pressing gently so the filling stays in place.

Bake to Perfection:

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Watch for the pears to soften slightly while still maintaining their shape. The feta should begin to warm and melt slightly but not completely lose its texture.

Finish with Flavors:

Remove the baking dish from the oven when the pears are tender when pierced with a fork. While still hot, drizzle each pear with honey, allowing it to melt slightly into the warm feta. Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves and add a delicate pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance all the flavors.

Garnish and Serve:

If using, add a sprinkle of chopped walnuts to each pear for added texture and nutty flavor. Serve immediately while still warm as the contrast between the warm pears and melty cheese is most delightful.

Pin it

The secret to this recipe's success lies in the quality of your pears. I once made this with pears from my neighbor's tree that were just picked that morning, and the flavor was absolutely transcendent. There's something magical about how the sweetness of a perfectly ripe pear intensifies with baking.

Selecting the Perfect Pears

The foundation of this recipe depends entirely on choosing the right pears. Look for fruits that yield slightly to pressure but aren't too soft. Bosc pears maintain their shape beautifully during baking with a subtle spiced flavor, while Anjou pears offer a juicier, sweeter experience. Avoid Bartlett pears for this recipe as they tend to become too soft when baked. The pears should be ripe enough to be flavorful but firm enough to hold their shape during the baking process.

Make-Ahead Options

This dish offers wonderful flexibility for entertaining. You can prepare the pears completely up to the baking stage and refrigerate them, covered, for up to 8 hours. Simply bring them to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking. Alternatively, if you need to prepare them even further in advance, you can bake them earlier in the day, reheat them gently at 300°F for about 10 minutes just before serving, and then add the final drizzle of honey and herbs. The flavors actually develop beautifully with a little time.

Seasonal Variations

While this recipe shines with cranberries and feta, you can adapt it seasonally with wonderful results. In summer, replace cranberries with blueberries and thyme with basil. In autumn, try diced apples and cinnamon with blue cheese instead of feta. For winter celebrations, a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds adds festive color and juicy bursts of flavor. The versatility of the basic technique means you can enjoy this dish year-round by working with what's freshest and most flavorful each season.

Pin it

Serve this elegant dish warm to highlight its contrasting textures and flavors—your guests will undoubtedly ask for the recipe!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use other types of cheese?

Absolutely! While feta adds a tangy and creamy element, you could substitute it with goat cheese or even blue cheese for a bolder flavor.

→ What can I use instead of cranberries?

Dried cherries, raisins, or chopped dried apricots make excellent substitutes if you don't have cranberries on hand.

→ Can this dish be made ahead of time?

You can prepare the pears and filling in advance but wait to bake them until just before serving to keep the texture perfect.

→ Are there other garnish options?

Yes! Besides walnuts, you could try pistachios, pecans, or even a sprinkle of granola to add crunch.

→ Can this recipe be made vegan?

To make a vegan version, replace feta cheese with a plant-based cheese alternative and use agave syrup instead of honey.

→ What pairs well with baked pears?

This dish pairs beautifully with a dollop of Greek yogurt, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or alongside a fresh green salad.