Desserts abound during the holidays. 

Choosing a dessert that appears elegant and sophisticated pairs well with our prepared feasts. 

Poached pears with orange mascarpone cream are both elegant and sophisticated, yet simple and tasty. 

Indeed, the orange mascarpone cream enlivens the star anise and creates fresh flavors accented by one another.

Truly a savory selection for a holiday dessert and not the norm.

While the name is quite impressive, don’t let it deter you from creating the recipe.

In short, the name elegant poached pear with orange mascarpone cream sounds more complicated than it is to make! 

Really, this recipe is all about making a good choice when it comes to a pear varietal. 

Rather than cookie and cakes, try a fresh poached pear and enjoy sweet and juicy in a whole new way! 

Poached Pears with Orange Mascarpone

Being transparent, the key to success with this recipe is to choose a naturally firm pear varietal, such as the red Anjou used here.

Choosing the right pear has a lot to do with the ripeness. 

Don’t use a pear that is ripe unless of course, you want MOOSH for a dessert. 

Instead, you want to use a pear that is NOT ripe for this dessert. 

Of course, using softer pears or an overly ripe varietal will create mush while cooking and it won’t turn out looking too nice! 

This is one time when an unripened pear will be your best friend! 

What Spices Complement A Poached Pear? 

Perhaps you’ll want to tweak my recipe. 

Great!

There are a lot of great options when it comes to pears and pairings. 

Try cardamom, cloves, ginger, thyme, anise, and of course allspice. 

Don’t forget that topping a pear is as important as imparting flavor with the right spice. 

That said, try toppings like my soft caramel drizzle, hazelnuts, maple syrup, agave, brandy, walnuts, even pistachios. 

Wine can be used of any sort, just try to not go too sweet or not to use sparkling. 

Because your next question is what color wine, red or white are both fine! 

Also, don’t forget that vanilla and almond both are amazing when poaching pears! 

Orange Mascarpone Cream 

Here’s where we separate the boys from the men, so to speak. 

DO you love the citrus flavor or do you prefer vanilla? 

Perhaps you love coffee? 

Whatever you love, you can make that filling for these poached pears. 

Get creative. 

Do you love amaretti? 

Crumble them and make an Amaretto Mascarpone Cream. 

If you love orange flavoring you will LOVE this cream flavor. 

You can also make this with anisette and crumbled pizzelle. 

Pears are delicious filled and your mascarpone cream will be the final touch to delish! 

Yes, I slice My Pears for Poached Pears with Orange Mascarpone Cream 

Leaving your pears whole makes it quite messy for those at your party to really scoop the treat. 

I highly suggest cutting the pear in half and taking out the seeds so your guest does not need to do so. 

Or you might have a scene like in Pretty Woman with those slippery little suckers flying across your table. 

Also, the pear cooks faster if you half it! 

Recipe for Elegant Poached Pears with Orange Mascarpone Cream