Pear-adise Spice Twists

Name: Pear-adise Spice Twists
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup cold butter; 1/4 cup shortening; 4 to 5 tablespoons cold water; 2 large Bosc pears; SAUCE:; 1/3 cup packed brown sugar; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/2 cup water; 1/4 cup butter, cubed; Vanilla ice cream, optional

Flaky, buttery pear dumplings bake on top of a sweet caramel syrup for a delicious dessert. I like to serve them alongside cinnamon ice cream. —Wendy Nickel, Kiester, Minnesota

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cold butter
1/4 cup shortening
4 to 5 tablespoons cold water
2 large Bosc pears
SAUCE:
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup butter, cubed
Vanilla ice cream, optional

Directions

In a large bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in butter and shortening until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Divide in half; wrap each portion in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 to 1-1/2 hours or until easy to handle.
Peel pears and cut each into eight wedges. Roll out each portion of dough into a 10x8-in. rectangle. Cut each into eight 1-in.-wide strips. Wrap each strip around a pear wedge.
Place wrapped pears in an ungreased 11x7-in. baking dish. Combine brown sugar and spices; sprinkle over the top. In a small saucepan, bring water and butter to a boil; pour mixture over pear twists. Bake, uncovered, at 425° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm with ice cream if desired.