These caramelized baked pears are stunning. We add some wine and spices to the pears towards the end of cooking. As they finish cooking, the wine reduces into a thin syrup, which is excellent drizzled over the pears when serving. You can use apple cider or pear juice as a substitute for the wine.
4 Bosc pears, semi-ripe
1/3 cup (38g) powdered sugar
3 tablespoons (42g) butter
3/4 (177ml) cup off-dry white wine like Riesling
1 whole star anise
1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
Pinch sea salt
Ice cream or homemade whipped cream for serving
Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C).
Quarter and core the pears, then dust the cut sides of the pears with powdered sugar.
Melt the butter in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
When the butter melts and bubbles, add the pears, cut-side down, to the butter and cook, moving the pears around so the cut sides become caramelized and browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
Flip the pears so that they are skin-side up. Pour in the wine and add the star anise, cinnamon stick, and a small pinch of salt.
Place the pan, uncovered, in the oven and roast until the pears are tender and the wine has reduced into a thin syrup, 15 to 20 minutes.
Transfer the pears to a serving dish, drizzle with some syrup from the bottom of the pan, and top with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.