Preheat your oven to 180C (350F). Quarter pears, lengthwise. Remove any seeds.

Layer pears in a baking dish. Top with butter (if using) and vanilla (if using). Cover with foil and baked for 30 minutes.

Remove foil and stir. Return to the oven uncovered this time and bake for another 20-30 minutes or until the pears are soft and slightly browned. The less ripe your pears are the longer they will take to cook.

Serve warm or allow to cool and refrigerate.