Red Wine Poached Pears with Mascarpone Filling

Indulge in elegance with these Red Wine Poached Pears with Mascarpone Filling, a stunning dessert that’s as refined as it is delicious. Perfectly ripe yet firm pears are gently simmered in a fragrant blend of dry red wine, orange zest, cinnamon, and vanilla, infusing them with a deep, jewel-toned hue and rich flavor. Once cooled, they’re filled with a luscious mascarpone cream sweetened with powdered sugar, honey, and a touch of whipped cream, creating the perfect balance of fruity and creamy. Drizzled with a glossy red wine reduction and garnished with crunchy pistachios and fresh mint, this sophisticated dessert is ideal for entertaining or ending a romantic dinner on a high note. Plus, it’s deceptively simple to make, making it a show-stopper you’ll want to recreate again and again!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 ripe but firm pears (Bartlett, Bosc, or Anjou)
• 750 ml dry red wine
• 150 g granulated sugar
• 1 strip orange zest
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 whole cloves
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 250 g mascarpone cheese
• 50 g powdered sugar
• 60 ml heavy cream
• 1 tbsp honey
• 20 g chopped pistachios (optional, for garnish)
• 2 sprigs fresh mint leaves (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact. Trim the bottom of each pear slightly so they can stand upright if desired.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the red wine, granulated sugar, orange zest, cinnamon stick, cloves, and vanilla extract. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.

Step 3

Place the peeled pears into the saucepan, ensuring they are fully submerged in the liquid. If necessary, add a little water to cover them completely.

Step 4

Simmer the pears gently for 25-30 minutes, turning them occasionally to ensure even coloring. They should be tender but not mushy when pierced with a knife.

Step 5

Remove the pears from the poaching liquid and set them aside to cool. Continue simmering the poaching liquid until it reduces by about half and becomes syrupy, approximately 10 minutes. Let the syrup cool to room temperature.

Step 6

While the pears cool, make the mascarpone filling. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, heavy cream, and honey until smooth and creamy.

Step 7

Once the pears have cooled, use a small spoon or melon baller to core them from the bottom, removing the seeds to create a cavity for the filling.

Step 8

Fill each pear with the mascarpone mixture using a piping bag or small spoon.

Step 9

To serve, plate the pears standing upright or on their side. Drizzle the reduced poaching syrup over the pears for a glossy finish.

Step 10

Garnish with chopped pistachios and fresh mint leaves, if desired. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2052.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3292.2

Total Fat 138.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 84.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 417.5mg	0%
Sodium 121.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 369.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 31.2g	0%
Total Sugars 291.3g
Protein 19.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 594.1mg	0%
Iron 6.8mg	0%
Potassium 2338.9mg	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: 44.4%

Protein: 2.8%

Carbs: 52.8%