3 med. pears
1/3 c. packed brown sugar
1/4 c. water
1/4 c. cream sherry or port
1 tbsp. butter, cut up
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Halve pears lengthwise, remove cores. Place halves, cut side down on a cutting board. To fan pears, make lengthwise cuts from blossom end to, but not through, stem ends. Place pears, cut side down in a 10 x 6 x 12 inch baking dish.

In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, water, sherry or port, butter, lemon juice and cinnamon. Cook and stir over medium heat until heated through; pour over pears. Bake covered at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until tender, spooning sauce over pears occasionally. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, if desired. Serves 6.