Baked Pears with Berries, Honey, Walnuts & Blue Cheese
This elegant Mediterranean-inspired dessert (or appetizer!) features soft, caramelized baked pears filled with fresh berries, crunchy walnuts, sweet honey, and creamy blue cheese.The warm pear contrasts beautifully with the sharp, salty blue cheese — a perfectly balanced sweet–savory dish that feels gourmet but is incredibly simple.Serve this for a holiday dinner, special breakfast, or classy brunch board.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients
For the Pears
2 large ripe but firm pears
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp olive oil
For the Filling
⅓ cup fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries, or mixed)
¼ cup walnuts, roughly chopped
2–3 tbsp crumbled blue cheese
½ tsp cinnamon
Optional: a pinch of nutmeg
Optional: 1–2 tbsp dried cranberries
For Garnish
Fresh mint
Extra honey
Extra berries
Instructions
Step 1 — Prepare the Pears
Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F).
Cut pears in half lengthwise.
Scoop out the seeds using a spoon to create a small hollow for the filling.
Brush the cut sides with lemon juice to prevent browning.
Step 2 — Add Flavor and Bake
Place pear halves on a baking dish, cut-side up.
Drizzle with honey and olive oil (or butter).
Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon.
Bake for 20 minutes or until pears are soft but still holding their shape.
Step 3 — Add the Filling
Remove pears from the oven.
Fill each pear cavity with:
fresh berries
chopped walnuts
a small amount of blue cheese
Return to the oven and bake for 5 more minutes until cheese melts slightly and walnuts are toasty.
Step 4 — Serve
Serve warm with:
a drizzle of extra honey
fresh mint on top
extra berries on the plate
Amazing with:
✔ Greek yogurt
✔ Vanilla ice cream
✔ A cheese board
✔ Toasted brioche
Notes
Pears should be ripe but firm so they don’t collapse while baking.
You can replace blue cheese with goat cheese, feta, or ricotta if you prefer a milder flavor.
For a sweeter dessert version, add a sprinkle of brown sugar before baking.
Pro Tips
Toast the walnuts before adding for extra crunch.
If you want richer flavor, bake pears with a splash of apple juice or orange juice in the pan.
Add cranberries + pistachios for a Christmas-style version.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make this ahead?
Yes — bake the pears first, then add berries and cheese just before serving.
2. Can I use other fruits?
Absolutely! Apples, figs, or peaches work wonderfully.
3. What if I don’t like blue cheese?
Use goat cheese, ricotta, or mascarpone for a milder, creamy finish.
4. Is this recipe Mediterranean-friendly?
Yes — it uses whole fruits, nuts, honey, berries, and little added sugar.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 210
Protein: 4g
Carbs: 28g
Fat: 10g
Fiber: 5g
Sugar: 21g
Sodium: 140mg