Dessert Fit for Midwestern Royalty

I don’t use the word “decadent” often in my life, but it’s the first word that comes to mind with this dessert. It’s the right amount of special and sweet, yet familiar enough to keep it grounded in the “I can do that” territory. It’s a deceptively simple recipe that yields extravagant results. This is the dessert I go to when I am hosting and want to show my guests I can “get fancy” too.

1. Poached Pears

   1. Ingredients:

      1. 4 pears

      2. 1 Vanilla Bean

      3. 2 1/2 cup Sugar

      4. 5 cups water

      5. 4 TBSP Butter

   2. Make It:

      1. Bring water to boil in medium sized pot. Split vanilla bean lengthwise along one side with sharp knife add to water with sugar and butter.

      2. Peel and core pears, add to water and simmer at medium for 10-20 minutes (till tender)

      3. Set pears aside to cool.

      4. Reduce liquid by half and discard vanilla bean. Set aside until assembly

2. Crumble

   1. Ingredients:

      1. 2 TBSP Brown Sugar

      2. 1/3 cup Shaved Almonds

      3. 1/2 cup Old Fashioned Oats

      4. 1 TBSP Sesame Seeds

1. Make it:

   1. Preheat oven to 350.

   2. In a bowl, mix the oats, almonds, and sesame seeds with brown sugar.

   3. Spread ingredients evenly on baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, stirring and mixing occasionally for even baking

1. Spread

   1. Ingredients:

      1. 1/2 cup mascarpone

      2. 3 Tsp sugar

   2. Make it:

      1. Whisk ingredients together till evenly mixed

2. Assembly:

   1. On small plate, smear spread

   2. Cut pears in half lengthwise and place face-down in spread

   3. Take crumble and sprinkle generously over pear and spread

   4. With large spoon, drizzle the reduced vanilla-flavored pear syrup over top and enjoy

3. Servings:

   1. Makes 8 desserts