POACHED PEAR SURPRISE

Poached Pear Surprise image

Pears are my husband's favorite fruit, so he immediately declared this dessert "a keeper." It's elegant but easy, satisfying yet light. Plus, it's fun to watch the looks on the faces of our grandkids and great-grandkids when they discover the surprise filling inside. -Barbara Smith, Cannon Falls, Minnesota

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

4 medium ripe pears
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon milk
CHOCOLATE SAUCE:
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter
1-1/3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Fresh mint, optional

Steps:

Core pears from bottom, leaving stems intact. Peel pears. Cut 1/4 in. from bottom to level if necessary. In a saucepan, bring water and sugar to a boil. Add pears; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Remove from the heat; stir vanilla into sugar syrup. Spoon over pears. Cover and refrigerate until chilled., Meanwhile, combine walnuts, confectioners' sugar and milk; set aside. For chocolate sauce, in a small saucepan, bring the water, sugar and butter to a boil. Remove from the heat; add chocolate chips, stirring until melted. , To serve, drain pears well; spoon nut mixture into cavities. Place on dessert plates; top with some of the chocolate sauce. Insert a mint leaf near stem if desired. Serve with the remaining chocolate sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 709 calories, Fat 35g fat (17g saturated fat), Cholesterol 31mg cholesterol, Sodium 123mg sodium, Carbohydrate 107g carbohydrate (93g sugars, Fiber 8g fiber), Protein 6g protein.