Caramel and Chocolate-Dipped Holiday Pears Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 Metropolitan Market Holiday Pears (stem-on, rinsed and dried)
• 1 package (11 oz) soft caramel candies
• 2 Tbsp water
• 1 cup chopped, toasted pecans or other nuts
• 8 oz bittersweet chocolate (preferably 70% cacao), chopped
• Optional: flaky sea salt

Directions:

1. Line a plate with parchment paper. Mist with nonstick cooking spray or brush with oil.
2. Unwrap caramels and place in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add water and heat, stirring often, until caramels melt to a smooth sauce.
3. Holding stem of one pear, dip in warm caramel, coating almost to the top (spoon caramel around pear, if needed); remove pear to prepared plate, scraping ex-cess caramel from bottom. Repeat with second pear.
4. Chill pears in refrigerator for 1 hour.
5. Place chopped nuts in a bowl.
6. Melt chocolate according to package directions, in a bain-marie (a double boil-er, a heat-proof bowl or small pot set over a pan of simmering water).
7. Dip bottom half of each pear in warm chocolate, scraping excess from bottom, then dip in chopped nuts. Return to lined plate.
8. Chill 1 hour or until serving time. If desired, sprinkle with flaky sea salt before serving.
9. Cook's Tip:
10. If you prefer to use a microwave, follow these instructions:
11. For Step 2: Place the caramels in a microwave-safe bowl, add the water, and heat for 30 seconds, stir and continue heating in 15-second increments, stirring in between until the caramels melt completely. Continue with step 3 as directed in the recipe.
12. For Step 6: Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds, stir and continue heating in 15-second increments, stirring in between, until it is completely melted. Continue with step 7.