Roasted Pears with Whipped Mascarpone

Roasted Pears with Malted Brown Sugar Whipped Mascarpone

(Serves 4)

Pears:

4 pears, any variety will work, halved and cored

1 orange, cut into quarters

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 tablespoons brown sugar

Kosher salt

Whipped Mascarpone:

¾ cup heavy cream

8 ounces mascarpone, softened

¼ cup brown sugar

3 tablespoons malt powder

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon salt

Ground vanilla bean or ground cinnamon, for finishing

Roast the Pears

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a large casserole dish or baking pan, add two tablespoons of water. Place the pears cut side up into the dish and squeeze a little bit of orange juice on top of each one. Dot the pears with butter and sprinkle half a tablespoon of brown sugar on top of each pear along with a dash of salt. Roast the pears for 25 minutes, then flip the pears and roast for another 20 minutes.

Whip the Mascarpone

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the heavy cream, mascarpone, brown sugar, malt powder, and vanilla extract on low speed until just combined. Increase speed to high and beat until soft peaks form.

Serve the roasted pears with the whipped mascarpone with a sprinkle of ground vanilla bean.