1. Heat the oven to 180C.
2. Melt the butter in an ovenproof pan or dish (one that is suitable for stovetop and oven in which the halved pears will fit well with no extra space) over low heat. Stir in the date syrup, cinnamon and nutmeg. Remove from the heat.
3. Halve, core and peel the pears and place in the butter mixture, cut side down. Spoon the butter mixture over the pears to coat them.
4. Cover the dish tightly with foil and place in the oven. Bake for 30-45 minutes until the pears are tender. Test by piercing with a fine skewer. It should slip into the pear easily.
5. Serve pears warm, drizzled with the cooking juices. A dairy-free vanilla and coconut ice cream is delicious with these pears.

More of Kathy's winter fruit desserts

• Apple and pear chunky sauce with yoghurt and honey nut drizzle
  
• Baked tamarillos with ricotta and honey