Chef Sophie Laurent - Pastry & Dessert Specialist
👨‍🍳 Pastry Chef

Recipe by Mitchell

🎓 Le Cordon Bleu Graduate ⏰ 15+ Years Experience 🍽️ Seasonal Dessert Expert

❤️ My Recipe Story

"This recipe emerged from my desire to create an elegant yet simple dessert that celebrates seasonal fruit. The combination of warm pears, tangy goat cheese, and sweet honey creates a sophisticated balance that never fails to impress dinner guests."

Sophie specializes in creating refined desserts that highlight natural ingredients. Her approach combines French pastry techniques with a focus on letting quality ingredients shine through simple preparations.

View All Mitchell's Recipes →
Golden baked pears filled with creamy goat cheese, topped with glazed cranberries and fresh rosemary, drizzled with honey on an elegant white plate

Choosing the Perfect Pears

The success of this dish depends on selecting pears at the ideal ripeness. Look for fruit that's ripe but still firm - they should yield slightly to pressure at the stem but not be soft throughout. Bosc and Anjou varieties work best as they hold their shape during baking while developing a tender, sweet interior.

The combination of sweet, caramelized pear with tangy goat cheese creates a sophisticated flavor profile. The honey acts as both sweetener and glaze, creating a beautiful glossy finish while enhancing the natural sweetness of the fruit without overwhelming it.

💡 Professional Tip

Let the goat cheese come to room temperature before mixing - it will blend more smoothly with the honey and vanilla, creating a silkier filling that melts beautifully during baking.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can prepare the pears and fill them up to 2 hours ahead, keeping them refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before baking. The cranberry sauce can be made a day ahead and reheated gently.

Ricotta mixed with a bit of cream cheese works well for a milder flavor. Mascarpone creates an even richer, sweeter version. Blue cheese offers a more intense, savory option for adventurous palates.

Yes, frozen cranberries work perfectly. Don't thaw them first - add them frozen to the saucepan and increase cooking time by 2-3 minutes until they burst and the sauce thickens.

Pears should be easily pierced with a fork but still hold their shape. They'll have golden edges and the cheese will be melted and slightly browned on top.

While best served warm, they're also delicious at room temperature. The cheese firms up slightly when cooled but remains creamy. Avoid serving straight from the refrigerator as the flavors are muted when very cold.

Toasted walnuts or pecans add wonderful crunch. Pomegranate seeds provide a similar tartness to cranberries. A drizzle of balsamic reduction complements the sweet-savory profile beautifully.

Any honey works, but lighter varieties like clover or acacia let the pear flavor shine. Darker honeys like buckwheat add more robust, earthy notes. Avoid heavily flavored honeys that might overwhelm the delicate balance.

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a 300°F oven for 8-10 minutes. The texture won't be quite as perfect as fresh, but they're still delicious.

Recipe Troubleshooting Guide

✅

Mushy Pears

Problem: Pears become too soft and lose their shape

Solution: Use firmer, less ripe pears and reduce baking time by 3-5 minutes. Check for doneness at 15 minutes.

✅

Cheese Leaking Out

Problem: Goat cheese mixture runs out during baking

Solution: Don't overfill cavities - use about 1 tablespoon per half. Ensure cheese mixture is thick enough by using less honey if needed.

✅

Burnt Bottoms

Problem: Pears burn on the bottom before cooking through

Prevention: Add 1/4 cup water or apple juice to the baking dish. This creates steam and prevents direct contact with hot pan.

✅

Bland Flavor

Problem: Dessert tastes flat or lacks depth

Recovery: Increase cinnamon and add a pinch of nutmeg. Use more vanilla extract. Ensure honey is high quality and flavorful.

✅

Runny Cranberry Sauce

Problem: Cranberry topping is too thin and watery

Prevention: Simmer longer until reduced and thickened. Add a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with water if needed for faster thickening.

✅

Flavor Balance Issues

Too Sweet: Add more balsamic vinegar to cranberries or use less honey

Too Salty: Reduce salt in cheese mixture and balance with extra honey drizzle

Bland: Increase vanilla, add lemon zest to cheese, or finish with flaky sea salt

Fresh ingredients for baked pears including whole pears, goat cheese log, honey jar, fresh cranberries, and rosemary sprigs arranged on marble surface

Building Flavor Layers

The beauty of this dessert lies in the interplay between sweet, tart, and savory elements. The pears provide natural sweetness that intensifies during roasting, while the goat cheese adds a tangy, creamy contrast that prevents the dish from being cloying.

Cranberries bring essential tartness that cuts through the richness, and the balsamic vinegar in the sauce adds unexpected depth. The honey serves multiple purposes - sweetening, glazing, and helping caramelize the pears' edges for beautiful presentation and complex flavor.

Essential Ingredient Notes

  • Pear Selection: Bosc pears have dense flesh that holds up beautifully to baking. Anjou pears are sweeter and more delicate. Avoid Bartlett pears as they become too soft.
  • Goat Cheese Quality: Fresh, creamy goat cheese works best. Avoid aged or crumbly varieties. Look for cheese with a clean, tangy flavor rather than overly strong or barnyard notes.
  • Honey Choice: Light, floral honeys complement without overwhelming. Local honey adds unique character. Avoid processed honey which lacks the complex flavors needed for this elegant dish.
Baked pears in baking dish showing golden caramelized edges, melted goat cheese filling, and cranberry sauce being spooned over the top

Perfecting the Presentation

Temperature control is crucial for this dessert. The oven should be hot enough to caramelize the pears' edges and melt the cheese while keeping the fruit tender but structured. Too high and the outside burns before the inside softens; too low and you lose the beautiful golden color.

The cranberry sauce should be glossy and thick enough to cling to the pears without running off completely. The rosemary infuses subtle herbal notes into the sauce without overpowering - remove the sprigs before serving so guests don't accidentally bite into the tough leaves.

The Perfect Core

Use a melon baller to create smooth, round cavities that hold filling well. Remove just enough core to create space without weakening the pear's structure. Leave the stem intact for elegant presentation.

Baked Pears with Goat Cheese & Honey

Prep 15 min
Cook 20 min
Serves 4 servings
Level Easy

📋 Ingredients

For the Pears

  • 150g fresh cranberries
    Frozen works too, don't thaw
  • 3 tbsp honey
    For sauce sweetness
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
    Adds depth and balance
  • 1 tbsp water
    Helps create sauce
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs
    For infusing and garnish
  • Powdered sugar
    Optional for dusting

For the Cranberry Topping

  • 4 ripe but firm pears
    Bosc or Anjou varieties work best
  • 120g goat cheese, softened
    Room temperature for easy mixing
  • 3 tbsp honey, divided
    Plus extra for drizzling
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
    For brushing pears
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    Enhances cheese filling
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
    Warm spice complement
  • Pinch of sea salt
    Balances sweetness

Instructions

  1. Prepare Pears

    Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut pears in half lengthwise and scoop out cores with melon baller or spoon, creating a cavity. Place cut-side up in baking dish.

  2. Fill with Cheese

    Mix goat cheese with 2 tablespoons honey, vanilla, and pinch of salt. Spoon mixture into pear cavities. Brush pears with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon.

  3. Make Cranberry Topping

    In small saucepan, combine cranberries, 3 tablespoons honey, balsamic vinegar, water, and rosemary. Simmer 5-7 minutes until cranberries burst and sauce thickens slightly.

  4. Bake Pears

    Pour remaining honey over pears. Bake for 18-22 minutes until pears are tender and cheese is melted. Pears should be easily pierced with a fork but still hold their shape.

  5. Serve and Garnish

    Remove rosemary from cranberry mixture. Spoon cranberry sauce over baked pears. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and drizzle with additional honey. Serve warm.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Storage

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a 300°F oven for 8-10 minutes to restore warmth and soften the cheese slightly.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for added indulgence. A sprinkle of toasted nuts adds textural contrast. Pair with dessert wine or port for elegant entertaining.

Variations

Try adding chopped walnuts to the cheese mixture, or use blue cheese for a more savory profile. Replace cranberries with pomegranate seeds or fig jam for different flavor profiles.