Stuffed baked pears with a date chocolate sauce

Created for Evergreen 2025

These Stuffed Baked Pears with Date Chocolate Sauce are a beautifully understated dessert that is elegant in presentation and rich in naturally warm flavors. As the pears roast, their delicate sweetness deepens, complemented by a gently spiced apple and cranberry filling and brushed with a fragrant maple glaze. Finished with a velvety date chocolate sauce, each bite feels indulgent yet refined. It's the kind of dessert that brings a quiet sophistication to the table, perfect for a cozy evening or an effortlessly graceful finish to any gathering.

INGREDIENTS

6 Bosc pears 

2 Cortland apples - grated 

1/3 cup frozen or fresh cranberries 

Juice of a half lemon 

1 packed tablespoon brown sugar 

1/2 tsp cinnamon 

1 1/2 tablespoons corn starch 

WARM MAPLE SYRUP 

1/4 cup maple syrup 

1/2 tsp cinnamon 

1/4 tsp all spice 

Pinch of nutmeg 

DATE CHOCOLATE SAUCE

1 1/2 cups water 

9 dates 

2 tablespoons cocoa 

Pinch of cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 400°.

Slice the pears in half lengthwise and use a tablespoon to gently scoop out the seeds and core, creating a small well in each half.

In a bowl, combine grated apples, cranberries, lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch.

Spoon the mixture into each hollowed pear half, packing gently.

MAPLE SYRUP

In a separate small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg.

Brush the pears and their filling generously with half of this spiced maple mixture.

Set aside the remaining half of the maple syrup for later.

BAKE

Arrange the stuffed pears in a baking dish.

Pour ¼ cup water into the bottom of the pan to keep the pears moist.

Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, uncover the pears, brush with remaining maple glaze, and bake for an additional 15 minutes, uncovered, until golden and tender.

DATE CHOCOLATE SAUCE

In a saucepan, combine water and dates. Bring to a boil.

Once boiling, turn off the heat, cover, and let sit until fully cooled.

Add cocoa powder and a pinch of cinnamon.

Transfer everything to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.

SERVE

Serve the warm stuffed pears over a generous drizzle of the date chocolate sauce. 

Enjoy!