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Cranberry Poached Pears Recipe

This Cranberry Poached Pears recipe is an easy to make dessert with very little hands-on time. Served with creamy and soft mascarpone cheese, these pears are worthy of a festive and colorful VIP dinner or a simple splurge for you and your family.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 5 servings
Calories: 279 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian-American Fussion

Ingredients

  • 5 medium-size Bosc pears peeled
  • 2 ½ cups fresh cranberries rinsed
  • juice of an orange
  • orange peel
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • ⅓ cup honey or more to taste
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary more as garnish
  • 6 cups water
  • 1 cup mascarpone cheese
  • ¼ cup hazelnuts or any other nuts, roughly chopped

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place the pears, cranberries, orange juice, orange peel, cinnamon stick, honey*, and rosemary in a pot (with a lid) that will accommodate all these ingredients comfortably. I used a 3 ½ quart dutch oven.
  2. Pour the water over the ingredients.
  3. Put the lid on and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Turn down the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes or until a knife inserted in one of the pears goes in and out easily.
  4. When ready to serve, spread 2-3 tablespoons of mascarpone cheese into the bottom of a bowl, place a pear in the middle, and drizzle it with honey (if preferred), the juices from the pot, and a few of the cooked cranberries.
  5. Sprinkle the pears with hazelnuts and a few leaves of fresh rosemary. If preferred, drizzle them with more honey to taste.

Notes

  • You can serve this recipe warm or cold, but I think it tastes best when served slightly warmly. 
  • To prep this recipe ahead of time, poach the pears a day in advance (following the instructions above), let them come to room temperature, and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Make sure to save some of that yummy liquid for drizzling! When you’re ready to serve, assemble the pears and garnish them to your liking. 
  • To store leftovers, let the cooked pears reach room temperature and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a day or two.
  • If you are not a fan of boiling honey, you can stir it in after the pears are cooked and let it steep for 10-15 minutes before serving.
  • Serving suggestion: You can serve this recipe warm or cold, but I think it tastes best when served slightly warmly. 
  • Make ahead: To prep this recipe ahead of time, poach the pears a day in advance (following the instructions above), let them come to room temperature, and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Make sure to save some of that yummy liquid for drizzling! When you’re ready to serve, assemble the pears and garnish them to your liking. 
  • Store: To store leftovers, let the cooked pears reach room temperature and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a day or two.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1g Calories 279kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 23g (8%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 20g (31%) Saturated Fat 11g (55%) Cholesterol 38mg (13%) Sodium 34mg (1%) Potassium 79mg (2%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 17g (34%) Vitamin A 550IU (11%) Vitamin C 6mg (7%) Calcium 74mg (7%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 5servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 279

% Daily Value*

Serving 1g
Calories 279kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 23g 8%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 20g 31%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Cholesterol 38mg 13%
Sodium 34mg 1%
Potassium 79mg 2%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 17g 34%
Vitamin A 550IU 11%
Vitamin C 6mg 7%
Calcium 74mg 7%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.