If you’re looking for an easy, fall inspired recipe to serve as an appetizer, this is it! The best time to celebrate the pear is in fall, when it’s in season. Our Fall Pear and Cheese Baguette is just that – a delightful celebration of the pear, melding sweet and savory. Sweet pears, ground cherries, and savory robust blue cheese are the stars of this Fall Pear and Cheese Baguette Recipe.

Toasted Baguette Base

First, we’ll start with our foundation, the baguette. Slice your baguette into one-inch thick slices, perfectly bite-sized. Slicing on an angle feels extra fancy. 💃🏻 Next, we’re going to toast our baguette slices. Set your oven to broil. Lay out your baguette slices in a single layer on a pan, drizzle with olive oil, and broil until lightly toasted. Keep a close watch! Too toasted and these bite-sized snacks can become hard to eat.

Pear Preparation

This delightful appetizer starts with preparing the pear. (Apples could work too!) Slice the pear into wedges that are about 1/4″ thick. We’re aiming for slices that are easy enough to bite into, but thick enough that they won’t fall apart when cooking. Warm a skillet over medium heat with oil or butter. Add the pears to the skillet, arranging them in a single layer. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with salt. Giving them a gentle heat in a skillet not only warms them but also accentuates their natural sweetness.

Ground Cherries: A Sweet Surprise

If ground cherries are new to you, don’t fear! They’re actually easier to find at your local grocer than you might think. Especially when they’re in season during the fall. Ground cherries grow in a papery husk, similarly to tomatillos. They might be small, but they bring a delightful burst of flavor. For this dish, we’ll chopping them into tiny pieces so that every bite gets a hint of their unique sweet-tart taste. 

Assembling the Fall Appetizer

Here’s where the magic happens. Start with a toasted baguette slice, lay a warm pear slice on top, and sprinkle with those delightful ground cherries. Finish with a crumble of blue cheese, and you’re done! This appetizer brings strong flavor that beautifully contrasting with the sweetness below.

Serve It Up

We suggest serving these warm on our custom wood board from the Fall into Home hosting box alongside your other apps and snacks. Serve with a glass of your favorite wine or sparkling beverage. Whether you’re entertaining guests or simply indulging in a quiet afternoon, these delights are sure to impress. Enjoy!

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Fall Pear and Cheese Baguette

Serving size varies based on baguette size

Ingredients:

• 1 Baguette
• 1 Pear (or Apple)
• 4-6 Ground Cherries
• 1/4 cup Blue Cheese
• 1-2 Tbsp Honey
• 1 Tbsp Oil
• Salt

Directions:

1. Slice the baguette into 1-inch pieces. Lay them out in a single layer on a pan, drizzle with olive oil, and broil until lightly toasted. Keep a close watch!
2. Slice the pear thinly into 1/4″ slices and arrange in a single layer in a skillet over medium heat with oil or butter.
3. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with salt as it warms.
4. Slice the ground cherries into small pieces and set them aside.
5. Assembling your toasts. Start with a toasted baguette slice, top with a pear slice, sprinkle with ground cherries, and finish with a blue cheese crumble. Serve warm.

Making this recipe? Follow us on Instagram and tag @suncookery so we can share what you’re cooking!