Pears Elegante'

I found this recipe in a Southern Living Magazine several years ago. It's actually a simple recipe. It does take a little time to put together, but it's worth it. Your guests will think you've slaved in the kitchen forever!!! Don't disillusion them. Let them think it!

• Ready In: 1 hr 45 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

•  double crust pie crust, using your favorite recipe (I've used bought crusts and rolled them out thinner)
• 4  ripe bartlett pears
• 2  eggs
• 1⁄2 cup milk
• 1 (16 ounce) jar  caramel ice cream topping
• 1⁄2 cup triple sec or 1⁄2 cup  orange liqueur
• 1 (16 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

Directions

1. Preheat Oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix egg and milk together.
3. Wash Pears.
4. Leave Stems on.
5. Dry thoroughly.
6. Roll pie crust very thin on a floured surface.
7. Cut the pie crust into long 1/2" wide strips.
8. Wind the pie crust strips around the pear, starting at the top, overlapping each row approximately 1/8".
9. Use the egg wash to make the dough stick together.
10. When you get to the end of a strip, join another strip to it with the egg wash.
11. Continue wrapping the pear until it is completely covered with the pie dough.
12. Wrap the remaining pears with the pie crust dough.
13. Cut 8 leaf shapes from the remaining dough and attach two (2) to the top of each pear with the egg wash.
14. Spray a baking dish with Pam.
15. Stand the pears up in the baking dish, making sure they're not touching each other.
16. Brush the pears with the egg wash mixture.
17. Bake for 45 minutes until golden brown.
18. CARAMEL SAUCE.
19. Combine caramel sauce, orange liqueur and condensed milk in a saucepan over low to medium heat.
20. Stir frequently and cook until the mixture bubbles.
21. Remove from heat.
22. Ladle sauce into 4 soup or salad bowls.
23. Stand pears up in the middle of the sauce.
24. You may substitute green apples for a different taste.
25. If you have any sauce left over, pour it back in the caramel sauce jar and refrigerate to use over ice cream.