Butterscotch Pears

Total Time: 35 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 4 ripe but firm pears
• 1/2 lemon
• 6 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon scotch whisky (optional)

Recipe

• 1 heat the oven to 375 degrees f.
• 2 peel the pears, cut them in half lengthwise and, using a melon baller, scoop out the cores.
• 3 rub them all over with the lemon half to prevent browning.
• 4 in a large (10-inch), heavy-based, ovenproof skillet, melt the butter.
• 5 add the sugar and brown sugar and stir to dissolve.
• 6 arrange the pears in the pan, cut side down, in a single layer.
• 7 bake the pears uncovered, basting occasionally with the liquid in the pan, until they begin to soften and color slightly.
• 8 depending on the pears ripeness, baking time can range from 20 minutes to 1 hour.
• 9 remove the pears with a slotted spoon and set aside.
• 10 transfer the pan to a burner and boil the mixture left behind over medium-high heat until it reaches a rich, golden-brown color and smells like caramel, 2 to 5 minute slowly whisk the cream into the caramel until smooth.
• 11 add the vanilla, salt, and scotch, if using.
• 12 serve the sauce over the warm pears.