Preheat oven to 425. Put the butter in an ovenproof skillet (if one is not available a ceramic baking dish should due nicely) over medium heat. When the butter foam ceases, add the pears and sugar, cook, turning the pears and allowing them to browna little until soft, about 20 min. Add the cream and cinnamon and stir until the cream thickens. PUt the skillet in the oven and cook until brown on top, about 5 to 10 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature.