Make
a stiff paste by creaming butter, sugar, ground
almonds and cinnamon together. Gradually add egg
yolk. Stir in orange liqueur.
Peel
and core pears. Split in half. Fill centers with
paste. Press the two halves together.
Roll
out puff pastry into 4 oblong pieces, 4 x 8 inches
(10 x 20cm). Place a pear in the middle of each.
Brush edges with water. Fold oblong to enclose each
pear, retaining the pear shape. Make two small cuts
at the top to allow steam to escape. Brush with
lightly whisked egg white. Let stand for 15 minutes.
Place on greased baking sheet. Bake at 400F (200C)
for 20 minutes.
Heat
apricot jam until liquid. Strain. When pears are
taken from oven, brush them lightly with hot jam as
a glaze. Serve hot with ice cream or custard.