Delicious Baked Pears Dessert with Cardamom Cream

It’s officially one of my favourite seasons for desserts and these Baked Pears with Cardamom Cream are absolutely heavenly.

This favorite Fall dessert packs a ton of flavour with just a few simple ingredients.

Pears, walnuts, oats, maple syrup and cardamom – a divine combination of flavours which are perfect for the cozy season ahead.

I love warm spiced desserts with seasonal fruit in the cooler months like these apple pie blondies. However, pear recipes are wonderful this time of year too! Baking pears brings out their natural sweetness and they go beautifully with the walnuts and oats in this recipe. 

These Baked Pears with Cardamom Cream are the perfect dessert for gatherings during the holiday season too, especially during Thanksgiving.

Why you’ll love these baked pears

• Seasonal: This pear recipe is a light dessert that’s perfect for the Fall and Winter season.
• Beginner-friendly: An easy pears recipe that a beginner baker can make for dessert.
• Healthy-ish: A healthier dessert option with an indulgent topping. 

Ingredients needed for this pear recipe

Pears: the best pears for this recipe are Bosc pears which have a lovely sweetness and hold their shape when baked; alternatively, you can try Bartlett or D’Anjou pears

Oats: rolled oats make a delicious topping for these baked pears

Walnuts: the crunch of walnuts goes wonderfully with the tender pears; if you need to swap for a nut-free version try sunflower seeds or just add more oats

Maple syrup: maple syrup is such a lovely complement to the pears and oats; it adds just a touch of sweetness

Mascarpone: mascarpone cheese is soft, cow’s milk cheese with a sweet taste that pairs well with baked fruit like pears

Ground cardamom: ground cardamom has warm and sweet notes; if you don’t have cardamom a good substitution is ground cinnamon.

How to make this baked pears dessert

Step 1: Pre-heat oven to 350F. Line the baking dish with parchment paper.

Step 2: Make the cardamom cream by whisking together the mascarpone, ground cardamom, icing sugar and milk. Set aside

Step 3: Cut each pear in half lengthwise and lay pear halves skin-side down in the baking dish. If needed, slice a small piece off skin-side so the pears lay flat in the baking dish.

Step 4: With small spoon (or melon baller), scoop out the cores / seeds in the middle of each pear half. Leave the stems on the pears for a prettier presentation (if desired).

Step 5: Mix together the oats, walnuts, cinnamon, sugar and melted butter. 

Step 6: Divide the oat mixture between four pear halves, spooning into the scooped out center of each pear. Drizzle each pear half with 1 tbsp maple syrup .

Step 7: Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the oat mixture is golden brown and the pears are soft, tender but still hold their shape.

Step 8: Let sit for about 5 minutes and then serve each with a dollop of the cardamon cream.

Tips & tricks

• If you can’t find mascarpone you can use a scoop of vanilla ice cream or vanilla or plain Greek yogurt instead for a topping.
• This recipes serves 4 people but can be easily doubled to serve 8 people.
• Medium-ripe pears work best and provide the best flavour. Not to soft but not too firm.
• Bosc pears can be found in your local grocery store; alternatively try Bartlett or D’Anjou pears which also bake well.
• This pear dessert is easily made gluten-free with gluten-free oats.

How to serve baked pears

• Serve pears warm out of the oven topped with the cardamom mascarpone cream.
• You can serve at room temperature as well as an option.
• These baked pears are a perfect compliment to a brunch or as a light breakfast along with yogurt of choice.
• Switch things up and serve topped with whipped cream.

Variations

• Instead of ground cinnamon use pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice for deeper Fall flavours.
• Add 1 tsp of orange zest to the oat mixture for a holiday flavour touch.
• Try using honey instead of maple syrup if desired.

Common questions

How to store

Store leftover pears in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Reheat on a parchment paper lined baking sheet or in a baking dish at 350F for about 10-20 minutes or until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat quickly in the microwave.

More pear recipes to love from the blog

• Spiced Pear Baked French Toast
• Delicious Gluten Free Pear Crisp (easy dessert!)
• Pear & Walnut Baked Brie