Irresistibly Gooey Baked Pears with Brie, Walnuts, and Cranberries

Baked Pears with Brie, Walnuts, and Cranberries: The Only Recipe You’ll Ever Need

Imagine transforming simple ripe pears into a showstopping dessert that’s both elegant and effortless—enter Baked Pears with Brie, Walnuts, and Cranberries, the ultimate fall treat that’s perfect for gatherings or a cozy night in. This recipe, crafted by Chef Lalyta, combines creamy brie with crunchy walnuts and tart cranberries for an irresistibly gooey and nutty experience that elevates everyday ingredients into something extraordinary. With its easy preparation and stunning results, this Baked Pears with Brie, Walnuts, and Cranberries dish is your go-to for impressing guests without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or a beginner, this recipe promises a perfect balance of flavors and textures that make it stand out from the rest.

The aroma of warm cinnamon and honey fills the air as these baked pears emerge from the oven, their golden skins yielding to a luscious, molten center of melted brie that oozes with every bite. The walnuts add a satisfying crunch, contrasting beautifully with the soft, tender pears and the sweet-tart burst of dried cranberries. Each forkful delivers a symphony of flavors— the richness of the cheese, the earthiness of the nuts, and the subtle acidity of the fruit—creating a dessert that’s not just satisfying but truly indulgent. Picture the gooey cheese partnering with the cranberries’ tanginess, all enveloped in a warm, caramelized honey glaze that makes this Baked Pears with Brie, Walnuts, and Cranberries an unforgettable culinary adventure.

What sets this Baked Pears with Brie, Walnuts, and Cranberries recipe apart on lalytarecipes.com is its reliability, born from Chef Lalyta’s expertise and rigorous testing in real home kitchens. You’ll discover insider tips, from selecting the ripest pears to achieving that perfect melt, ensuring your version turns out flawlessly every time. Dive into our Chef’s Secret for an extra layer of flavor that makes this recipe the single best resource online. By the end, you’ll feel confident mastering this elegant dessert, complete with variations for dietary needs and creative serving ideas that keep things fresh and exciting.

Why This Baked Pears with Brie, Walnuts, and Cranberries Recipe is a Game-Changer

The Chef’s Secret: What truly elevates this Baked Pears with Brie, Walnuts, and Cranberries recipe is the strategic use of high-quality honey and cinnamon, which create a caramelized glaze that locks in moisture and amplifies the natural sweetness of the pears. By drizzling the honey just before baking, it forms a sticky, flavorful coating that prevents the pears from drying out and infuses them with a warm, spiced depth. This technique, tested multiple times, ensures an extra layer of gooey goodness that sets this version apart from ordinary baked fruit recipes.

Unbeatable Texture: The science behind the texture lies in the careful balance of ingredients— the brie’s high fat content melts into a creamy consistency, while the walnuts provide crunch without overwhelming the tender pears. This combination creates a textural contrast that keeps every bite interesting, as the heat from baking softens the pears just right, releasing their juices to blend seamlessly with the melted cheese.

Foolproof for a Reason: This recipe has been perfected through repeated trials to guarantee success, even for novice cooks. With straightforward steps and precise timings, you’ll avoid common pitfalls like overbaking, ensuring your Baked Pears with Brie, Walnuts, and Cranberries emerge tender, not mushy, and ready to wow every time.

Ingredient Spotlight: Quality Makes the Difference

Ripe pears: As the star of this Baked Pears with Brie, Walnuts, and Cranberries recipe, ripe pears provide a naturally sweet and juicy base that absorbs flavors beautifully. Choose pears that are firm yet yield slightly to pressure for the best results; underripe ones won’t soften properly, while overripe ones may become too mushy. For substitutions, opt for apples or even figs if pears are unavailable, but note that apples might require a slight adjustment in baking time to achieve that perfect tenderness.

Brie cheese: This creamy, mild cheese melts into a luxurious goo in our Baked Pears with Brie, Walnuts, and Cranberries, adding a rich, savory element that contrasts the fruit’s sweetness. Always select a high-quality, fresh brie without additives for the best melt; its high fat content ensures a smooth texture. If you’re looking for a substitute, try camembert for a similar creaminess, or goat cheese for a tangier twist, keeping in mind that goat cheese might make the dish slightly sharper.

Walnuts: Chopped walnuts bring a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor to this Baked Pears with Brie, Walnuts, and Cranberries recipe, enhancing the overall texture and adding healthy omega-3s. Use fresh, unsalted walnuts for optimal taste and crunch—stale ones can make the dish oily. Pecans can be swapped in for a milder nutty note, but toast them lightly beforehand to maintain that essential crispiness.

Dried cranberries: These tart gems add a burst of brightness and chewiness to our Baked Pears with Brie, Walnuts, and Cranberries, balancing the richness of the cheese. Opt for unsweetened varieties to control the sweetness; they’re packed with antioxidants for a healthful boost. Fresh cranberries can substitute during peak season, but simmer them briefly to soften, as they might otherwise be too tart.

Honey and cinnamon: Honey acts as a natural sweetener and glaze in this recipe, while cinnamon infuses a warm, aromatic spice that ties everything together in Baked Pears with Brie, Walnuts, and Cranberries. Choose raw, organic honey for its pure flavor and potential health benefits; maple syrup works as a vegan alternative with a similar viscosity. Cinnamon should be fresh-ground for potency—if using a substitute, try nutmeg for a subtle variation, but use sparingly to avoid overpowering the dish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure even baking. This step is crucial for achieving the perfect tenderness in your Baked Pears with Brie, Walnuts, and Cranberries without overcooking the cheese.

Pro Tip: Use an oven thermometer to verify the temperature accuracy, as ovens can vary, preventing uneven baking and ensuring your pears cook uniformly.

Step 2: Prepare the Pears

Take your 4 ripe pears, halve them lengthwise, and carefully remove the cores using a melon baller or small spoon. Place the pear halves cut side up in a baking dish, arranging them so they fit snugly without overlapping for even heat distribution.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Don’t core the pears too deeply, as this can cause them to lose their shape and release excess juices, leading to a watery dish—aim to remove just the seeds and a bit of the center for stability.

Step 3: Stuff the Pears

Stuff each pear half with slices of the 4 ounces of brie cheese, pressing gently to nestle it into the cored section. This allows the cheese to melt evenly and infuse the pears with its creamy flavor.

Pro Tip: Let the brie sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before stuffing to ensure it melts smoothly and doesn’t clump, enhancing the gooey texture in your Baked Pears with Brie, Walnuts, and Cranberries.

Step 4: Add Toppings

Sprinkle the chopped 1/2 cup walnuts and 1/2 cup dried cranberries evenly over the stuffed pears, distributing them to cover the surface for a balanced bite in every serving.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Overloading the toppings can make the pears top-heavy and lead to spillage during baking—use a light hand to keep everything intact and allow the flavors to meld perfectly.

Step 5: Season and Drizzle

Drizzle 2 tablespoons of honey over the pears and sprinkle 1 teaspoon of cinnamon on top, ensuring each half gets an even coating for that signature sweet-spiced finish in your Baked Pears with Brie, Walnuts, and Cranberries.

Pro Tip: Warm the honey slightly in the microwave for 10 seconds to make it easier to drizzle, which helps it spread uniformly and caramelize beautifully without clumping.

Step 6: Bake the Pears

Bake the prepared pears in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pears are tender when pierced with a fork and the cheese has fully melted, creating a harmonious blend of textures.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Keep a close eye on the baking time to prevent overcooking; remove them as soon as the pears soften to maintain their shape and avoid a mushy consistency.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let the pears cool slightly for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh thyme if desired for an added aromatic touch.

Pro Tip: Serve immediately while warm to enjoy the melted brie at its peak, as cooling too long can firm up the cheese and diminish the gooey appeal of your Baked Pears with Brie, Walnuts, and Cranberries.

Serving & Presentation

For an impressive presentation of your Baked Pears with Brie, Walnuts, and Cranberries, arrange the halves on a rustic wooden platter, drizzling any excess honey from the baking dish over the top for a glossy finish. Garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme or a light dusting of powdered cinnamon to enhance visual appeal and add a pop of color. Pair this elegant dessert with complementary sides like a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to contrast the warm, gooey pears, making it feel like a restaurant-quality dish at home.

To make it even more versatile, serve these baked pears as part of a cheese board for fall gatherings, alongside crackers and charcuterie, or as a sophisticated ending to a holiday meal. For a lighter option, complement them with herbal tea or a crisp white wine to balance the richness. The key is in the plating—use individual dessert plates with a strategic arrangement to highlight the textures, encouraging guests to savor the creamy brie, crunchy walnuts, and tart cranberries in every bite.

Make-Ahead & Storage Solutions

For make-ahead strategies, prepare the pear halves up to 3 days in advance by coring and stuffing them with brie, then covering and refrigerating in an airtight container. Add the walnuts, cranberries, honey, and cinnamon just before baking to preserve their freshness and crunch. This allows you to assemble quickly for unexpected guests while keeping the flavors vibrant.

When storing leftovers, place any uneaten Baked Pears with Brie, Walnuts, and Cranberries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; the flavors will intensify, but the texture may soften. For freezing, wrap individual portions tightly and store for up to a month—thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

The best way to reheat is in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes to restore the original gooey texture and warm aroma without drying out the pears. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the cheese rubbery; instead, opt for gentle oven reheating to keep your Baked Pears with Brie, Walnuts, and Cranberries tasting fresh and delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Baked Pears with Brie, Walnuts, and Cranberries

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• Author: Chef Lalyta
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

This elegant dessert features ripe pears baked with creamy brie cheese, crunchy walnuts, and tart cranberries, perfect for a fall gathering.

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Ingredients

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• 4 ripe pears, halved and cored
• 4 ounces brie cheese, sliced
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Optional: Fresh thyme for garnish

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Place the pear halves cut side up in a baking dish.
3. Stuff each pear half with slices of brie cheese.
4. Sprinkle chopped walnuts and dried cranberries over the pears.
5. Drizzle honey and sprinkle cinnamon on top.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until pears are tender and cheese is melted.
7. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh thyme if desired.

Notes

For a vegan version, substitute brie with a plant-based cheese alternative. Serve warm for the best flavor.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Method: Dessert
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 25g
• Fat: 10g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Protein: 6g