4 lg. pears
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 c. ground almonds
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 c. butter
1 lg. egg
1/4 c. milk
1 tsp. almond extract
1 tbsp. honey
1 tbsp. sliced almonds
Whipped cream (optional)

Peel pears, cut in half. Remove cores. Place pears, cut side down on a board. Make lengthwise cuts 1/4 inch apart, partway through pears. Place pears in medium skillet covered with water, drizzle with lemon juice over top. Bring water to boil, cover and simmer until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain well. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-inch round casserole dish or pie pan with fluted sides.

Combine flour, ground almonds, sugar (reserve 2 tablespoons), baking powder and salt in a bowl, cut butter into flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Make well in center of dry ingredients, add the egg, milk and extract. Stir with fork until smooth and well combined. Spread over bottom of pan evenly and then arrange 7 pear halves around the outside edge of pan and 1 pear half in center.

Brush pears with honey, sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar and sliced almonds over surface. Bake 30 minutes. Serve warm or cool. Top each serving with a dollop of whipped cream. You may also add a maraschino cherry or a strawberry on top of cream for a more festive appearance.