Vanilla Roasted Pears

While looking at my favorite place to find recipes, Smittenkitchen.com, I stumbled upon these roasted pears. And can I just tell you that they are such a wonderful dessert if you are watching your figure. (and even if you aren't!) They are so easy to make and would be great for a large dinner party.

This works for ripe pears and under ripe pears alike. Maybe it is better if the pears a slightly under ripe so they hold up to the baking, but I've had fine results either way. These pears would be AWESOME dolloped with whipped cream or with a serving of vanilla icecream. mmmm...hot pears and cold vanilla icecream!

Vanilla Roasted Pears

2-4 pears, depending on the serving size and amount of people

2 Tbls fresh lemon juice

2Tbls water

1 tsp vanilla extract

1-2 Tbls brown sugar or splenda

2 Tbls unsalted butter

1. Preheat oven to 375. Peel and core pears, also removing the stems from the inside (you can leave some outside stems for decoration.) Squeeze lemon, add water and stir in splenda (not brown sugar, if using) and vanilla.

2. Pour this mixture over pears, coating every crevice. If using brown sugar, add on top of the pears (cut side up) after they are coated with the liquid.

3. Dot with equal pieces of  butter. Cook for 30 minutes on each side, every fifteen minutes or so baste with the liquid that runs off of the pears.

Enjoy!