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Perfect Champagne Poached Pears Recipe with Creamy Mascarpone Topping

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Elegant and easy dessert featuring pears poached in champagne with warming spices, topped with a creamy mascarpone mixture sweetened with honey and brightened with lemon.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ripe but firm Bosc or Anjou pears, peeled, halved, and cored
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) brut or extra dry champagne
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (240 ml) water
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise (or 1 tsp pure vanilla extract)
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 5–6 whole black peppercorns (optional)
  • 8 oz (225 g) mascarpone cheese, chilled
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) honey
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Peel, halve, and core the pears carefully with a paring knife, keeping halves intact. Set aside.
  2. In a large saucepan, combine champagne, water, sugar, cinnamon stick, vanilla bean (or extract), lemon zest, and black peppercorns. Bring gently to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar (about 5 minutes).
  3. Add pear halves carefully to the simmering liquid, cut side down if possible. Reduce heat to low so liquid barely bubbles. Poach gently for 20 to 25 minutes, turning pears once halfway through.
  4. Using a slotted spoon, lift pears out and place on a plate to cool slightly. Keep poaching liquid simmering if you want to reduce it for about 10 more minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. In a mixing bowl, whisk mascarpone, honey, and lemon juice until smooth and creamy but thick enough to hold shape. Adjust honey or lemon to taste.
  6. Spoon a generous dollop of mascarpone onto each pear half. Drizzle with reduced poaching syrup if desired. Garnish with lemon zest twist or sprinkle of cinnamon.

Notes

Use firm pears like Bosc or Anjou to hold shape. Keep poaching liquid at a gentle simmer, not boiling. Turn pears halfway through poaching for even color and flavor. Mascarpone can be whipped with a splash of cream if too thick. For dairy-free, substitute mascarpone with whipped coconut cream and maple syrup. Champagne can be replaced with sparkling wine, prosecco, or sparkling grape juice.

Nutrition

Keywords: champagne poached pears, mascarpone topping, elegant dessert, easy poached pears, holiday dessert, pear recipe, champagne dessert

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