Roasted Pears

Arrange Pears in Baking Dish

• Place the pear halves cut-side up in a baking dish just large enough to hold them in a single layer without overcrowding.
• This ensures they roast evenly instead of steaming.

Prepare and Apply Glaze

• In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.
• Carefully spoon this mixture over the pear halves, allowing it to pool in the cored-out centers and drizzle down the sides.
• Pour the 2 tablespoons of water into the bottom of the baking dish around the pears. This creates steam and prevents the syrup from burning.

Roast Until Tender and Caramelized

• Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and roast for 20-25 minutes.
• About halfway through (around the 12-minute mark), carefully remove the dish and baste the pears by spooning the pan juices over them. This helps create a beautiful glaze.
• The pears are done when they are tender enough to be easily pierced with the tip of a knife and the edges are lightly browned and caramelized.

Garnish and Serve

• Remove the pears from the oven and let them cool slightly in the dish for a few minutes.
• Serve warm, drizzled with any remaining pan juices and garnished with toasted walnuts.
• For an extra treat, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of Greek yogurt, or mascarpone cheese.