Honey-and-Butter-Baked Pears with Cold Cream

By lorik

Ingredients

• 8 Anjou pears, peeled, halved, and cored
• 8 tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into 1⁄2-inch cubes
• Kosher salt
• 5 sprigs thyme
• 2 fresh bay leaves
• 1 ⁄2 cup honey
• Chilled crème fraîche or heavy cream, for serving

Preparation

Step 1

Heat the oven to 400°. On a parchment paper-lined rimmed baking sheet, arrange the pears cut-side-up in a single layer. Top each pear half with butter and season lightly with salt. Scatter the thyme and bay leaves over the pears and drizzle with honey.

Bake the pears, turning them every 15 minutes to coat in the butter and honey, until they are tender and caramelized, about 1 hour. Transfer the pears to a warmed dish and serve while hot with a generous pour of chilled cream.