4 Williams pears, peeled, cored and halved lengthways
pinch freshly ground black pepper
90g/3¼oz soft light brown sugar
150²µ/5½´Ç³ú caster sugar
2–3 cloves, ground
plain flour, for dusting
1 star anise
1 vanilla pod, seeds only
1 vanilla pod, split
150²µ/5½´Ç³ú salted butter, room temperature
100ml/3½fl oz crème fraîche
200ml/7fl oz double cream
3 free-range egg yolks
250ml/9fl oz milk
150²µ/5½´Ç³ú ready-made puff pastry