Pears with Chocolate Sauce and Cracked Black Pepper

Elevate your dessert game with this sophisticated recipe for Pears with Chocolate Sauce and Cracked Black Pepper—a perfect blend of elegance and unexpected flavor pairings. Juicy, ripe-but-firm pears are gently poached in a fragrant vanilla-sugar syrup, making them tender and subtly infused with aromatic sweetness. They’re then adorned with a decadent chocolate sauce made from rich dark chocolate, silky heavy cream, and buttery smoothness. The unexpected addition of cracked black pepper creates a bold flavor contrast that beautifully complements the deep cocoa notes. Finished with a sprig of fresh mint, this dessert is as striking to look at as it is irresistible to taste. Ideal for dinner parties or an indulgent treat, this recipe combines simplicity with flair, delivering a memorable culinary experience in just 40 minutes. Keywords: poached pears, chocolate sauce recipe, dessert with black pepper, elegant dinner party dessert.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 whole Pears (ripe but firm)
• 1000 ml Water
• 100 g Granulated sugar
• 1 whole Vanilla bean (split lengthwise)
• 150 g Dark chocolate (70% cocoa, finely chopped)
• 120 ml Heavy cream
• 15 g Unsalted butter
• 1 tsp Cracked black pepper
• 4 leaves Fresh mint leaves (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact, and trim the bottom slightly so they can stand upright.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the water, granulated sugar, and split vanilla bean. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

Step 3

Add the pears to the saucepan and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and let the pears poach for 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking. The pears should be tender but not mushy when pierced with a knife.

Step 4

While the pears are poaching, prepare the chocolate sauce. In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium-low heat until it begins to steam but does not boil.

Step 5

Remove the cream from heat and add the chopped dark chocolate. Stir until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth.

Step 6

Whisk in the butter until incorporated, then set the sauce aside to cool slightly.

Step 7

Once the pears are poached, remove them from the liquid and let them cool slightly.

Step 8

To serve, place each pear upright on a serving plate. Drizzle the warm chocolate sauce generously over each pear.

Step 9

Sprinkle a pinch of cracked black pepper over the chocolate sauce for a bold flavor contrast.

Step 10

Garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired, and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2120.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2211.1

Total Fat 117.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 68.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 153.2mg	0%
Sodium 112.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 279.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 41.5g	0%
Total Sugars 204.1g
Protein 14.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 253.1mg	0%
Iron 19.8mg	0%
Potassium 1949.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.4%

Protein: 2.6%

Carbs: 50.0%