Pear Cobbler

I love a warm spiced fruit dish on a cold winter night. This one goes well with anything from chicken pot pie to a hearty slow-cooker soup.

Pear Cobbler

2 to 2 1/2 cups sliced fresh pears
1 cup sugar, divided
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
2 ounces butter
3/4 cup flour*
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
1 egg

Mix pears with 1/2 cup sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice and let stand. Put butter in 2-quart casserole and place in 325° oven until melted. Combine all dry ingredients, including the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar. Mix well. Whisk together the milk and egg; slowly combine with dry ingredients to make a batter. Pour over melted butter. Do not stir. Spoon pears over the batter. Do not stir. Bake at 325° for 50 to 60 minutes, or until nicely browned and pears are tender.
Serve hot or cold with ice cream or whipped cream.

* Rice flour makes a fine gluten free substitute