Roasted Pears with Mascarpone Cream

Roasted pear with whipped mascarpone cream on serving plate

5 from 1 vote

Roasted Pears with Mascarpone Cream

Sweet and juicy oven baked pears is an easy, classic dessert that can be served warm or chilled. The whipped mascarpone cream is lightly flavored with almond extract.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Desserts

Cuisine: French

Keyword: baked pears, desserts, fruit dessert, roasted pears, roasted pears with honey, Roasted Pears with Mascarpone

Servings: Servings

Author: Pat Nyswonger

Ingredients

2 pears
1 lemon
2 tablespoons butter cut into 4 cubes
2 tablespoon honey

For the Mascarpone Cream:

8 ounces mascarpone cheese
¾ cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon almond extract
Nutmeg gratings

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Working with one pear at a time, cut it in half from stem to base and scoop out the core. Slice a thin sliver off the pear to allow to sit level.
Squeeze lemon juice over the pear and place on the parchment lined baking sheet. Repeat with each remaining pear.
Add a butter cube to each pear half and drizzle with honey.
Bake 15-20 minutes until tender when a knife tip slides into the thickest part easily. (The roast time will be determined by the size and firmness of your pears. Begin checking after 15 minutes).
Remove from the oven and allow to cool at room temperature.

The Mascarpone Cream:

In a small dish, whip the mascarpone and sugar together until creamy. Add the whip cream, almond extract and a pinch of salt and whip to a thick, creamy consistency.
Place a pear half on each of 4 plates and top with a scoop of mascarpone cream. Garnish each serving with nutmeg gratings.

Notes

Any variety of pears can be roasted, however, you will not go wrong with the Bosc and Anjou pears.
Choose firm, slightly under-ripe pears.
Keeping the skin on the pear helps contain the juices and will hold in shape when roasted.
Roasting time will be determined by how ripe the pears are as well as their size. Check the pears for doneness after 15 minutes. Pears should be slightly firm when pierced with a toothpick at their thickest part. They will continue to cook when removed from the oven.
To put a crisp brown edge on the pears, remove them from the oven 2 minutes before they are done, raise the oven rack to the highest position and turn the oven to broil. Return the pears to the oven and broil for 1-2 minutes until slightly browned.
Overcooking the pears will result in mushy pears.

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