Baked Pears with Whipped Goat Cheese

These Baked Pears are topped with whipped thyme goat cheese, roasted until tender, and finished with balsamic glaze and chopped pecans.

These Baked Pears with Whipped Goat Cheese are an easy fall appetizer that comes together in less than 20 minutes. Thinly sliced pears are brushed with melted butter, topped with a whipped goat cheese mixture made with fresh thyme, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar, then roasted until the pears soften and the cheese is lightly golden. They’re finished with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and chopped pecans for a little crunch.

I love finding new ways to use seasonal pears, especially around the holidays when I’m looking for appetizers that are easy to make but feel a little different. The sweetness of the pears pairs well with the tangy goat cheese, while the balsamic glaze adds a little acidity. These are great for holiday entertaining, serving alongside a cheese board, or as a simple appetizer before dinner.

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Baked Pears with Whipped Goat Cheese

These Baked Pears are topped with whipped thyme goat cheese, roasted until tender, and finished with balsamic glaze and chopped pecans.

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Ingredients

Serves 4 people

1x2x3x

For the baked pears:

• ▢ 2 ripe but firm pears Bosc or Anjou work well
• ▢ 1 tbsp unsalted butter melted
• ▢ Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

For the whipped goat cheese:

• ▢ 4 oz goat cheese softened
• ▢ 1 tbsp olive oil
• ▢ 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves finely chopped
• ▢ 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
• ▢ Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

For serving:

• ▢ 2 tbsp balsamic glaze for drizzling
• ▢ ¼ cup pecans roughly chopped

Instructions 

• Prepare the pears: Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the pears lengthwise into approximately ¼-inch-thick slices, removing any seeds or tough core pieces. Arrange the slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
• Brush with butter: Lightly brush each pear slice with melted butter and season with a small pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
• Make the whipped goat cheese: In a food processor, combine the softened goat cheese, olive oil, fresh thyme, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
• Add the goat cheese: Spoon a small amount of the whipped goat cheese into the center of each pear slice, gently spreading it while leaving the edges of the pear exposed.
• Bake the pears: Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake at 425°F for approximately 8–10 minutes, or until the pears have softened slightly and the goat cheese begins to turn golden brown on top. For additional browning, broil for the final 1–2 minutes, watching closely.
• Garnish and serve: Remove the pears from the oven and transfer to a serving platter. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and finish with chopped pecans and a few fresh thyme leaves, if desired. Serve warm.

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