Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x9 inch pan with oil or nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

*First, brown your butter: add butter to a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Once melted, the butter will begin to crackle, and then eventually foam. This will take a few minutes. Make sure you whisk constantly during this process. After a couple of minutes, the butter will begin to brown and turn a nice golden amber color on the bottom of the saucepan. Continue to whisk and remove from heat as soon as the butter begins to brown and give off a nutty aroma. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, pure maple syrup, almond milk and vanilla extract.

Add the dry ingredients to the bowl with the wet ingredients: oats, cinnamon, baking powder and salt. Mix until combined, then stir in diced pears and finally, the browned butter.

Pour mixture into the prepared pan and smooth top. Sprinkle the top with chopped walnuts, if using. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden brown and center is set. Remove from the oven, allow to cool for 10 minutes, then cut into 6 slices and serve.