Christina made these for us, they were tres yummy!  So, needless to say (which is why I’m saying it, right?), I got the recipe.

4 firm pears, peeled and left whole
1 c sugar
2 cinnmon sticks
4 c water

Filling
3/4  c superfine sugar
1 1/2 oz butter, softened
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 c cream
2 eggs, separated
1 c ground almonds
1/4 self rising flour, sifted

Place pears, sugar, cinnamon, and water in a saucepan.  Cover and simmer over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the pears are just soft.  Allow to cool.

Preheat oven to 350.  To make filling, place the sugar, butter, vanilla, cream, egg yolks, ground almonds and flour in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until thick and smooth.  Beat the egg whites in a clean bowl until soft peaks form.  Fold the egg whites into the mixture and spoon into the base of four 1 1/2 c capacity ovenproof dishes.  Top each with a pear and press so that one-third of the pear is submerged in the mixture.  Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until filling is firm.