3 medium Bosc pears, peeled, cored, halved
½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup water
1 tsp. apple pie spice
1 tsp. vanilla
1 (7.5 oz.) tub Bellwether Farms crème fraîche
2 tbs. sliced almonds, toasted (optional)

Place pear halves, cut side down, on cutting board. Starting about 1/2" from stem end, make 7 lengthwise cuts in each half, cutting to the bottom. Arrange pear halves, cut side down, in 11" x 7" baking dish. In small saucepan, combine next 4 ingredients. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Pour sugar mixture over pears.

Bake, covered, in a preheated 350 degree oven until pears are tender (40-45 min.). Baste pears with sauce. To Serve: Stir crème fraîche; spread 2 tbs. onto one half of each dessert plate; spoon 1 tbs. sauce from pears on the other side. With slotted spoon, place pear half in center of each plate; garnish with almonds, if desired. Serve immediately.

Serves 6