Sweet & Savory Ways to Enjoy Melissa’s Butterscotch Pears

Golden, juicy, and perfectly sweet, Melissa’s Butterscotch Pears are one of the most versatile fruits in the kitchen. Their smooth texture and rich, honey-like flavor work beautifully in appetizers, salads, main dishes, and desserts.

If you’ve picked some up at your local Brookshire Brothers, here are four delicious recipes to try at home.

🧀 Butterscotch Pear Gouda Tarts

Flaky puff pastry, nutty aged gouda, and sweet butterscotch pears come together in this simple yet impressive appetizer.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed

• 1 ripe butterscotch pear, diced

• 1/2 cup Beemster aged gouda, shredded (or any aged gouda)

• 1/4 cup butterscotch sauce (store-bought or homemade)

• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

• Optional garnish: additional shredded gouda

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. On a lightly floured surface, cut puff pastry into 2x2-inch squares for mini tarts.

3. Gently press each square into a mini muffin tin to form tart shells.

4. Add a spoonful of diced pear and a sprinkle of shredded gouda into each pastry cup.

5. Drizzle a small amount of butterscotch sauce over the filling.

6. Brush pastry edges lightly with beaten egg.

7. Bake 12–15 minutes until pastry is puffed and golden and cheese has melted.

8. Cool slightly, garnish if desired, and serve warm.

🥗 Shredded Brussels Sprouts & Kale Slaw with Butterscotch Pears

This fresh, vibrant slaw is packed with texture and flavor.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 6–8

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh Brussels sprouts, shredded

• 1 pound Melissa’s Kale Sprouts, trimmed and halved lengthwise

• 2 carrots, shredded

• 1 Hatch Sweet Onion or Perfect Sweet Onion, thinly sliced

• 4 fresh Hatch peppers, roasted, peeled, seeded, diced (divided use)

• 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced

• 2 Melissa’s Butterscotch Pears, diced small

• 2 packages Melissa’s dried cranberries

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

• 1/4 cup milk

• 3/4 cup Greek yogurt

• 1 1/2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar

• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

• Juice of 1 fresh lemon

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine Brussels sprouts, kale sprouts, carrots, onion, 3 roasted Hatch peppers, garlic, pears, and cranberries.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, remaining Hatch pepper, salt, pepper, milk, yogurt, rice vinegar, white wine vinegar, and lemon juice.

3. Pour dressing over slaw mixture and toss thoroughly to combine.

4. Cover and refrigerate 1–2 hours to allow flavors to meld before serving.

🥩 Grilled Bone-In Rib Eye with Strawberry-Chocolate-Oaxaca Chile Sauce & Strawberry-Butterscotch Pear Salad

An elevated dinner perfect for entertaining.

Serves: 2

Rub Ingredients

• 2 Melissa’s dried Oaxaca chiles, stems and seeds removed, finely ground

• 1 tablespoon onion powder

• 1 tablespoon kosher salt

• 1 tablespoon granulated garlic

• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

• 2 bone-in rib eye steaks

Sauce Ingredients

• 3/4 cup bourbon

• 1/2 pound fresh strawberries, hulled

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

• 2 Melissa’s dried Oaxaca chiles, ground

• 2 Melissa’s vanilla beans

• 2 tablespoons dark chocolate

• Cold water

• Corn starch

Salad Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh arugula, washed and dried

• 3 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar

• 1 Melissa’s Butterscotch Pear, cored and diced

• 6 ripe strawberries, sliced

• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Instructions

1. Prepare a hot grill.

2. Mix rub ingredients in a bowl. Season steaks generously and massage rub into meat.

3. For the sauce, combine bourbon, strawberries, sugar, chiles, and vanilla beans in a pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer 8 minutes.

4. Remove from heat and mash strawberries. Strain mixture into another pot and return to simmer.

5. Add chocolate and stir until melted.

6. Mix equal parts cold water and cornstarch to create a slurry. Slowly whisk into sauce until desired thickness is reached. Set aside.

7. Grill steaks to desired doneness and allow to rest.

8. Toss arugula with rice vinegar. Gently fold in pears and strawberries. Season with salt and pepper.

9. Plate salad slightly off-center, place steak beside it, and drizzle with sauce.

🍞 Butterscotch Pear Bread Pudding

A warm, comforting dessert that highlights caramelized pears.

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons butter

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided

• 3 large Butterscotch Pears, peeled and sliced

• 6 cups stale brioche bread, cubed

• 2 cups half and half

• 1/2 cup milk

• 4 eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Spray an 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray.

2. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in 1/2 cup sugar.

3. Add pear slices in an even layer. Cook without stirring 8 minutes until caramelizing. Flip and cook 5–8 minutes more until golden.

4. In a bowl, whisk remaining 1/4 cup sugar, half and half, milk, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.

5. Spread bread cubes in prepared pan. Pour custard mixture over bread and press to soak.

6. Layer caramelized pears evenly over top. Spoon remaining caramel from skillet over pudding.

7. Bake 55–65 minutes until fully set.

8. Serve warm, dusted with powdered sugar.

Find Melissa’s Butterscotch Pears at Brookshire Brothers

Whether you’re baking something sweet or creating a bold dinner centerpiece, Melissa’s Butterscotch Pears bring incredible flavor to every dish.

Stop by your local Brookshire Brothers to pick up your pears and start cooking today. 🍐✨