Pear and Figs in Phyllo Cups

 Place a phyllo square into each hole of a 6-cup muffin pan. Brush melted butter on top. Repeat process with remaining phyllo squares until you have 6 sheets of dough layered on top of each other, with butter brushed in between. Bake for 10 minutes in a preheated 350°F oven. Set aside to cool.

While dough is being partially baked, make the filling: mix together brown sugar, white sugar, flour, dried figs, and spices in a bowl. In a separate bowl, toss sliced pears in lemon juice and mix in 1 teaspoon lemon zest. Add pears to brown sugar mixture and mix well.

Fill each phyllo cup with the pear and fig mixture. Sprinkle remaining lemon zest on top of the phyllo cups. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 20 minutes. Serve with whipped cream, if desired. 

Tip:

Phyllo dough is available at specialty shops and gourmet stores like Santis Delicatessen.