4 Williams pears, peeled, cored and halved lengthways
pinch freshly ground black pepper
90g/3¼oz soft light brown sugar
150g/5½oz caster sugar
2â3 cloves, ground
plain flour, for dusting
1 star anise
1 vanilla pod, seeds only
1 vanilla pod, split
150g/5½oz salted butter, room temperature
100ml/3½fl oz crème fraîche
200ml/7fl oz double cream
3 free-range egg yolks
250ml/9fl oz milk
150g/5½oz ready-made puff pastry