
Mulled Wine Poached Pears with Vanilla Mascarpone
This dessert is elegance in a bowl: tender pears, jewel-like in colour after bathing in spiced mulled wine, paired with cool, creamy mascarpone. It’s lighter than most Christmas desserts but just as festive, offering a fragrant end to a rich meal.
Ingredients (serves 6)
- 6 firm pears, peeled
- 750ml red wine
- 150g caster sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 cloves
- 1 star anise
- Zest of 1 orange
- 250g mascarpone
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp icing sugar
Method
- Place wine, sugar, spices, and orange zest in a pan. Bring to a simmer.
- Add pears and poach gently for 25–30 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender and deep red.
- Remove pears, strain and reduce liquid until syrupy.
- Beat mascarpone with vanilla and icing sugar until smooth.
- Serve pears drizzled with mulled wine syrup and a dollop of mascarpone.
Serving Tip: Garnish with orange zest and crushed pistachios or a shard of dark chocolate.
Make Ahead: Poach pears the day before; chill in their syrup and warm gently before serving.
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