Rich Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears with Walnuts & Honey Drizzle (Print Version)

Elegant Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears: My easy recipe blends sweet pears with savory blue cheese for a chic appetizer or light dessert.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: Modern European
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Core Pear & Cheese

01 - 4 medium pears (Bosc or Anjou), halved and cored
02 - 4 oz blue cheese (Gorgonzola, Roquefort, or Stilton), crumbled

→ Flavor & Texture Boosters

03 - 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
04 - 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, divided

→ Sweet Finish

05 - 2 tbsp honey, divided

→ Essentials

06 - 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
07 - Pinch of salt
08 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Instructions:

01 - Get your oven preheating to a cozy 375°F (190°C), because we want it nice and ready. Now, grab those beautiful pears. You'll want to carefully slice each one in half lengthwise, right down the middle, and then scoop out the core and those tiny seeds. I usually use a melon baller or a small spoon for this, and honestly, sometimes I get a little messy, sending seeds flying across the counter. No worries, it’s all part of the process! Place the pear halves cut-side up on a baking sheet. I like to line mine with parchment paper for easy cleanup, because who needs more dishes?
02 - Drizzle a tiny bit of olive oil over the cut surfaces of your pear halves. Just a light touch, okay? Then, a sprinkle of salt and a grind of fresh black pepper. This helps bring out their natural sweetness as they bake. I find that this little seasoning step makes a huge difference in the final flavor of these Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears. I once forgot the salt, and they tasted a bit… flat. So, don't be like me that day! Pop them into the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until they start to soften slightly but still hold their shape. You don't want them mushy yet!
03 - While the pears are getting happy in the oven, let's get that glorious blue cheese mixture ready. In a small bowl, crumble your blue cheese. Now, add those chopped, toasted walnuts – remember, toasted is key! Drizzle in about half of the honey and sprinkle in most of your fresh thyme leaves. Give it a good, gentle mix with a fork. You're not trying to make a paste here, just combine everything so those beautiful blue cheese crumbles are coated. I usually taste it at this point, just to make sure the flavors are singing. You might want a tiny bit more honey, depending on your cheese.
04 - Once your pears are slightly softened from their first bake, carefully pull them out of the oven. Now for the fun part: gently spoon that incredible blue cheese and walnut mixture into the hollowed-out centers of each pear half. Don't be shy, really fill them up! I usually mound it slightly on top because, let's be real, more cheese is always a good idea. Sometimes a little bit crumbles off the sides, and that's totally fine, just scoop it back on. These Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears are looking good already, aren't they?
05 - Once all your pear halves are beautifully stuffed, it's time for their final bake. Slide that baking sheet back into the oven for another 5-10 minutes. You're looking for the blue cheese to get nice and warm, slightly melty around the edges, and the pears to be tender but still firm enough to handle. Keep an eye on them, because ovens can be tricky, and you don't want the cheese to burn. The kitchen will start smelling absolutely divine at this point, trust me!
06 - Carefully remove the finished Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears from the oven. Let them cool just for a minute or two – they’ll be hot! Now for the finishing touches: a final drizzle of honey over each stuffed pear half and a sprinkle of the remaining fresh thyme leaves. Arrange them artfully on a serving platter. Honestly, they look so elegant and taste even better. I usually serve them warm, but they’re also pretty fantastic at room temperature. Enjoy this sweet and savory delight!

# Notes:

01 - Personal cooking tip: Don't overbake the pears in the first step; they should be slightly tender but still firm enough to hold their shape during stuffing.
02 - Storage or prep-ahead advice: You can prep the pears and the cheese mixture separately a day ahead, storing them in airtight containers in the fridge, then assemble and bake just before serving.
03 - Substitution suggestion: If blue cheese isn't your jam, a creamy goat cheese or even a sharp aged cheddar can work, though the flavor profile will be different.
04 - Serving or presentation tip: A few extra toasted walnuts scattered around the platter always looks lovely and adds a nice crunch for guests.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Baking sheet
02 - parchment paper
03 - small bowl
04 - spoon or melon baller
05 - knife
06 - cutting board

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 280 kcal
Total Fat: 18g
Total Carbohydrate: 25g
Protein: 8g

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