Sweet & Savory Roasted Pears with Balsamic and Honey Recipe

Autumnal desserts burst with warm, inviting flavors, and these roasted pears with balsamic and honey dance deliciously between sweet and tangy.

Ripe pears caramelize beautifully when kissed by high heat, creating a stunning transformation on your plate.

Each slice becomes golden and tender, releasing deep, complex notes of richness.

Drizzled with a luxurious balsamic and honey glaze, this elegant dessert brings sophistication to any meal’s finale.

The simplicity of ingredients belies the depth of flavor waiting to surprise you.

Serve these pears warm alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly memorable ending to your dining experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 136 kcal

Servings: 3

What You’ll Need to Make Roasted Pears with Balsamic and Honey

• Pears: Choose firm, slightly underripe pears that hold their shape beautifully during roasting, preferring varieties like Bosc or Anjou for their elegant texture and robust flavor.
• Honey: Select raw, local honey for a more complex, nuanced sweetness that elevates the entire dessert with its rich, golden character.

• Balsamic Vinegar: Opt for a high-quality, aged balsamic with deep, complex notes that will create a tangy-sweet glaze and add sophisticated depth to the roasted pears.
• Butter: Use unsalted butter to control the dish's overall saltiness while providing a luxurious, silky coating that helps caramelize the pears' surface.

• Optional garnishes like toasted nuts, fresh thyme, or a dollop of mascarpone can transform this simple dessert into an elegant, restaurant-worthy treat.

Equipment Required for Roasted Pears with Balsamic and Honey

• Cast-iron skillet: robust, oven-safe pan perfect for searing and roasting pears.
• Sharp knife: essential for halving and coring pears cleanly.
• Cutting board: sturdy surface for preparing fruit.
• Measuring spoons: help accurately measure butter and honey.
• Oven mitts: protect hands when handling hot skillet.
• Spatula or tongs: useful for flipping and moving pears safely.

How to Cook Roasted Pears with Balsamic and Honey Glaze

• Oven Preparation

Set the oven to a warm and toasty temperature that will transform your pears into golden delights.

• Pear Selection

Choose ripe pears with smooth skin, keeping their beautiful natural coating intact while removing the inner seeds.

• Skillet Magic

Find a sturdy pan that can handle both stovetop and oven action, melting butter until it dances and bubbles with anticipation.

• Initial Searing

Place pear halves face-down in the hot skillet, letting them develop a gorgeous caramelized surface that hints at the deliciousness to come.

• Roasting Journey

Slide the skillet into the oven, allowing the pears to soften and deepen in flavor while maintaining their elegant shape.

• Flavor Enhancement

Drizzle balsamic vinegar over the pears, creating a tangy counterpoint to their natural sweetness and returning them to the oven for a final flavor transformation.

• Final Touch

Remove the pears and crown them with a golden stream of honey, letting the warmth marry the flavors into a sublime dessert experience.

Flavor Variations for Roasted Pears with Balsamic and Honey

• Add a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or nutmeg to the pears before roasting for a warm, cozy twist.
• Scatter toasted chopped walnuts or pecans over the roasted pears just before serving to introduce a delightful texture contrast.
• Serve these roasted pears alongside a creamy blue cheese or soft goat cheese for a sophisticated appetizer or dessert that balances sweet and tangy flavors.
• Experiment with different fruits like apples or quince using the same roasting technique, adjusting cooking time slightly based on the fruit's firmness.
• Turn these roasted pears into a decadent dessert by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of mascarpone cream on top, creating an elegant and simple finale to any meal.

Roasted Pears with Balsamic and Honey Serving Suggestions

• Elegant Dessert Partner: Pair these roasted pears with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, creating a delightful contrast between warm, caramelized fruit and cool, creamy sweetness.
• Brunch Centerpiece: Serve these balsamic-glazed pears alongside crispy bacon and goat cheese as part of a sophisticated weekend brunch spread that will impress your guests.
• Cheese Board Enhancement: Arrange the roasted pears on a wooden board with aged cheddar, blue cheese, and toasted walnuts for a gourmet appetizer that balances sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors.
• Wine Companion: Complement these roasted pears with a crisp white wine like Riesling or a light dessert wine, which will highlight the pears' caramelized notes and balsamic undertones.

How to Store Roasted Pears with Balsamic and Honey the Right Way

• Fridge-Ready Technique: Store roasted pears in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping their delicate texture and sweet-tangy flavor intact.
• Smart Serving Suggestions: Enjoy these warm pears as a decadent dessert alongside vanilla ice cream, crumbled goat cheese, or as a sophisticated side dish with roasted meats.
• Advance Preparation Hack: Prepare pears earlier in the day and gently reheat in the oven at 150°C for 5-7 minutes before serving to restore their warm, inviting aroma.
• Freezing Strategy: Carefully wrap individual pear halves in plastic wrap, then place in a sealed freezer bag. Freeze for up to one month, thawing overnight in the refrigerator before gentle reheating.

Delectable Pears with Balsamic and Honey

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4.9 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Roasted Pears with Balsamic and Honey elevate a simple dessert into an elegant culinary experience. Tender pear halves glazed with sweet honey and tangy balsamic create a sophisticated treat you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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• 2 large slightly underripe pears
• 3 tbsps (45 mL) good quality balsamic vinegar
• 4 tsp (20 mL) runny honey
• 2 tsp (10 g) unsalted butter

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Position the oven rack in the middle and preheat to 200 degrees Celsius (400 degrees Fahrenheit), creating an optimal roasting environment for the pears.
2. Pear Preparation and Caramelization: Wash and halve the pears lengthwise, removing cores. Melt unsalted butter in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat, then place pears cut-side down, cooking for 2-3 minutes until achieving a golden-brown caramelized surface.
3. Initial Roasting Phase: Transfer the skillet directly into the preheated oven, roasting the pears for 15-20 minutes until they reach a tender consistency while maintaining their structural integrity.
4. Balsamic Enhancement: Remove the skillet, flip the pear halves, and generously drizzle high-quality balsamic vinegar across the surface, allowing it to pool in the cavities. Return to the oven for an additional 3-5 minutes to reduce and intensify the vinegar’s flavor profile.
5. Final Glazing: Extract the skillet and immediately brush or drizzle pure honey over each warm pear half, ensuring an even, glistening coating. Allow the pears to rest for 2-3 minutes, permitting the honey and balsamic vinegar to meld into a luxurious glaze before serving.

Notes

• Choose Perfectly Ripe Pears: Select firm but slightly yielding pears like Bosc or Anjou that hold their shape during roasting and caramelize beautifully.
• Prevent Browning: Toss pear halves with a splash of lemon juice to maintain their fresh appearance and prevent oxidation during preparation.
• Create Balanced Flavor: Use high-quality aged balsamic vinegar for a rich, complex sweetness that complements the natural pear sugars.
• Serving Suggestion: Pair roasted pears with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, crumbled blue cheese, or a sprinkle of toasted nuts for added texture and depth.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 136
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 1 mg
• Fat: 3 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg