Warm, caramelized pears bathed in a buttery vanilla syrup and finished with toasted almonds make an easy, elegant dessert that feels special any night of the week.
Ingredients:
4 tbsps Unsalted Butter
4 Bosc Pears, halved and cored (stems and skin intact)
¾ cup Dark Brown Sugar
2 tbsps Whiskey
2 tsps Vanilla Extract
1 tsp Salt
¼ cup Water
½ cup Sliced Almonds
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Have a small pie pan and an ovenproof skillet ready. Melt butter in the skillet over medium heat. Add pears cut side down and cook 3 to 4 minutes until lightly browned. Transfer to a plate.
Stir sugar and whiskey, bourbon, or rum into the skillet. Add vanilla, salt, and water. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, swirling occasionally, until smooth and bubbling. Turn off heat and return pears cut side down. Transfer skillet to oven and bake 15 to 18 minutes until pears are tender and caramelized.
Spread almonds in the pie pan and toast in the oven for 5 to 6 minutes until lightly browned.
Place 2 pear halves in each bowl, cut side up. Let syrup cool slightly until pourable. Thin with a little water if needed and adjust salt to taste.
Drizzle syrup over pears, sprinkle with almonds, and serve with vanilla ice cream or cream.