Name: Honey Glazed Baked Pears
Ingredients: Ripe but Firm Pears: (6 medium-sized) Choose pears that are ripe enough to be sweet but still firm enough to hold their shape during baking. Varieties like Bosc, Anjou, or Bartlett work wonderfully.; Honey: (1/4 cup) The star of our glaze! Use a good quality honey for the best flavor. Local honey can add a unique floral note.; Butter: (2 tablespoons, unsalted) Adds richness and helps create a beautiful, glossy glaze. You can also use vegan butter for a dairy-free option.; Lemon Juice: (1 tablespoon, freshly squeezed) Brightens the flavors and prevents the pears from browning. Freshly squeezed is always preferred for its vibrant taste.; Cinnamon: (1 teaspoon, ground) A classic spice that complements pears perfectly, adding warmth and coziness.; Nutmeg: (1/4 teaspoon, ground) A touch of nutmeg enhances the cinnamon and adds a subtle depth of flavor.; Vanilla Extract: (1/2 teaspoon) Enhances the sweetness and adds a lovely aromatic note. Use pure vanilla extract for the best results.; Water: (1/4 cup) Helps to create steam in the baking dish and ensures the pears bake evenly and stay moist.; Optional Garnishes: (Toasted nuts, whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, fresh mint) These are for serving and adding extra flair and flavor to your baked pears.

Ingredients

Ripe but Firm Pears: (6 medium-sized) Choose pears that are ripe enough to be sweet but still firm enough to hold their shape during baking. Varieties like Bosc, Anjou, or Bartlett work wonderfully.
Honey: (1/4 cup) The star of our glaze! Use a good quality honey for the best flavor. Local honey can add a unique floral note.
Butter: (2 tablespoons, unsalted) Adds richness and helps create a beautiful, glossy glaze. You can also use vegan butter for a dairy-free option.
Lemon Juice: (1 tablespoon, freshly squeezed) Brightens the flavors and prevents the pears from browning. Freshly squeezed is always preferred for its vibrant taste.
Cinnamon: (1 teaspoon, ground) A classic spice that complements pears perfectly, adding warmth and coziness.
Nutmeg: (1/4 teaspoon, ground) A touch of nutmeg enhances the cinnamon and adds a subtle depth of flavor.
Vanilla Extract: (1/2 teaspoon) Enhances the sweetness and adds a lovely aromatic note. Use pure vanilla extract for the best results.
Water: (1/4 cup) Helps to create steam in the baking dish and ensures the pears bake evenly and stay moist.
Optional Garnishes: (Toasted nuts, whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, fresh mint) These are for serving and adding extra flair and flavor to your baked pears.

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Pears: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven is heating, prepare your pears. Gently wash the pears under cool water and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel. Using a sharp paring knife, carefully halve each pear lengthwise, from stem to blossom end. Once halved, use a spoon or melon baller to scoop out the core and seeds from each pear half. Be careful not to scoop too deeply, as you want to maintain the pear’s structure and create a nice cavity for the glaze to pool in. Arrange the pear halves, cut-side up, in a baking dish. Choose a dish that snugly fits the pears in a single layer to ensure even baking.
Make the Honey Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the honey, butter, lemon juice, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and vanilla extract. Place the saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir the mixture constantly as the butter melts and the ingredients combine. Continue to stir until the glaze is smooth, fragrant, and slightly warmed through. This warming process helps to meld the flavors together beautifully. Once the glaze is ready, remove the saucepan from the heat.
Glaze the Pears: Generously spoon the honey glaze over each pear half, making sure to fill the cavities created by coring. Drizzle any remaining glaze evenly over all the pears in the baking dish. The glaze should coat the pears nicely and pool slightly in the bottom of the dish – this will create a delicious caramelized sauce as the pears bake.
Add Water and Bake: Pour water into the bottom of the baking dish, around the pears. The water will create steam during baking, which helps to keep the pears moist and prevents them from drying out or becoming too tough. Carefully transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven. Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the pears are tender when pierced with a fork and the glaze is bubbly and caramelized. The baking time may vary slightly depending on the ripeness and variety of pears you are using. Keep an eye on them towards the end of the baking time to prevent over-browning or burning of the glaze.
Rest and Serve: Once the pears are baked to perfection, carefully remove the baking dish from the oven. Let the baked pears rest in the baking dish for a few minutes before serving. This resting time allows the pears to cool slightly and the glaze to thicken a bit. Serve the Honey Glazed Baked Pears warm. You can serve them directly from the baking dish or transfer them to individual plates or bowls. For an extra touch, drizzle any of the caramelized glaze from the bottom of the baking dish over the pears before serving. Garnish with your favorite toppings, such as toasted nuts, a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a sprig of fresh mint. Enjoy this warm and comforting dessert!

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 200
Fat: 6g