Butterscotch Baked Pears

Submitted by ratherbeswimmin

"Something different for breakfast."

 

• Ready In: 45mins
• Ingredients: 8
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 4 pears, firm but ripe (medium-large size)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1⁄4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 cup whipping cream
• 1⁄2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 2 teaspoons rum or 2 teaspoons Scotch whisky
• hickory nuts or pecans

directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°; peel pears and halve them vertically; with a melon baller or small spoon, scoop out the hard core of each.
2. Melt butter in an 8- to 10-inch ovenproof skillet over medium heat.
3. Stir in the brown sugar and salt; add in the pears in a single layer, cut sides down.
4. Spoon some of the butter mixture over the pears.
5. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake the pears until soft, 15-20 minutes, basting once with the butter mixture while they bake.
6. Remove the pears from the skillet and arrange them on a rimmed platter or in a large shallow bowl.
7. Return the skillet to the stovetop; mix in the cream, vanilla, and bourbon; bring to a boil and reduce by about half, until very thick, stirring and keeping a close eye on the mixture.
8. Pour the sauce over the pears; Garnish with nuts and serve warm.