german pear pancake w/ pear syrup

this german pancake recipe was originally supposed to be made w/ apples, but pears are great w/ it too. i got this recipe from my aunt sam - i hope you love it as much as i do! the syrup is something i came up w/ on my own, and goes well w/ this, as well as french toast, pancakes, and much more.

german pear pancake

2 tablespoons butter, melted
3 medium pears, skinned, cored, and sliced
3/4 c brown sugar
1 c milk
1/4 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract
5 eggs
1/4 c sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 c flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

brush bottom and sides of heavy, ovenproof skillet w/ butter and heat over medium heat till butter foams. add apples and saute 30 seconds. add brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon, the increase heat to high and keep turning apples till evenly coated and sugar is thick and bubbly (about 3 minutes). in a separate bowl, beat eggs, sugar, and salt on high till tripled in volume (about 5 minutes), then add milk and extract. fold in dry ingredients just until moist, them pour over apples in pan. place skillet in bottom rack and bake at 450 for 15 minutes or till top is golden brown and springy in the middle. remove from oven and loosen sides. cool 15 minutes, then invert on platter. serve immediately w/ cinnamon-sugar or syrup. serves 8.

pear syrup

3 pears, pureed
3/4 c brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter
1 c water

combine all in saucepan over medium heat, stirring till bubbly. remove from heat and let cool 5-10 minutes. blend or process if any pieces of pear remain, then strain. discard pulp. store leftover syrup in fridge.