Ingredients:

  • 4 large Bosc or Concord pears
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger or cardamom
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice the pears in half vertically through the stem. Use a melon baller to scoop out the central seed core and remove the stringy fiber leading to the stem, creating a 'well' for the glaze. Slice a tiny, thin sliver off the rounded back of each pear half to create a flat seat so they don't wobble or flip over in the pan.
  2. Place the pear halves cut side up in your baking dish. Drizzle the 1 tbsp of lemon juice over them immediately to prevent oxidation. In a small bowl, whisk together the 3 tbsp of honey, 1 tsp vanilla bean paste, 1 tsp cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp ginger.
  3. Spoon the honey mixture evenly into the hollowed out centers of the pears. Let the excess run down the sides and into the bottom of the dish. This is where the magic starts.
  4. Take your 1 tbsp of unsalted butter and dot small pieces on top of each pear. As the butter melts, it will mix with the spices and honey to create a rich, glossy coating.
  5. Slide the dish into the middle rack of the oven. Set your timer for 20 minutes. At this stage, the fruit is just beginning to surrender its firmness.
  6. Open the oven and, using a spoon, carefully scoop up the bubbling juices from the bottom of the pan and pour them back over the pears. Cook for 15 minutes more until the edges are golden and the fruit is tender when pierced with a knife.
  7. Remove the dish from the oven. Let the pears sit for about 5 minutes before serving. The syrup will thicken slightly as it cools, turning into a proper glaze that clings to the fruit.