- ¾ c. heavy cream
- 1 (4 oz.) pkg. instant vanilla pudding
- 2 ripe pears, cut in half
- 2 tsp. granulated sugar, divided
- 2 T. salted butter
Place the heavy cream in the bowl of your stand mixer and, using the whisk attachment, beat it at medium-high speed until soft peaks begin to form. Turn the mixer to low and carefully sprinkle the pudding mix over the cream mixture. Return the speed to medium-high and continue mixing until the "mousse" gets firm. Set aside.
Sprinkle the cut sides of the pears generously with the granulated sugar - use more sugar than indicated in the recipe if you need more to coat the entire cut side. Set aside.
Heat the butter in a medium nonstick skillet until melted. Add the pears, cut side down, into the melted butter and allow them to cook without moving them for 4-6 minutes or until the sugar caramelizes and the pears release some of their juice into the pan. Remove the pears to a plate to cool slightly and scrape the skillet with a heatproof spatula to collect the pear caramel that's formed. Set aside.
To assemble the dessert, place two pear halves in a pretty martini glass and add a scoop of the vanilla mousse over the top. Drizzle some of the pear caramel over the top of it all and serve immediately.
- Yields: 2 servings
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes