SPICED PEAR UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE

Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake image

My friend and neighbor Laurie gave me this recipe from her Aunt Lucille, who lives in Texas, it is a clipping from a magazine. I don't think it is from a cookbook -it is hard to tell as it looks like it used to be shinier paper. This is such an easy recipe that I thought you might like to try it too!

Provided by Pat Duran

Time 1h35m

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

SUGAR SAUCE:
5 Tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
2/3 c light brown sugar,packed firmly
2 Tbsp pure maple syrup
PEAR PREP:
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
2 large ripe bartlett or anjou pears, peeled, cut in 1/2 and cored
1 tsp each of ground cinnamon and of ground cardamom
1/4 tsp ground cloves or less
garnish: maraschino cherry halves
CAKE:
3/4 c granulated sugar
1/2 c butter
1 1/2 c all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3/4 c milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs at room temperature

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350^. spray a 9-inch round cake pan and then cut circle of parchment or waxed paper for bottom and butter it and the insides of the pan; set aside.
2. SUGAR SAUCE: In a bowl, using a wooden spoon, beat together the ingredients until thoroughly blended. Spread this mixture over the bottom of the prepared cake pan.
3. PEAR PREP: Cut the pear slices into 1/4 inch slices and place in a bowl. Sprinkle with the sugar and spices; stir gently to coat evenly. Arrange the pears in the bottom or the pan; fanning them in spiral fashion , so that the tapered ends point outward; use the small slices to fill any spaces. From another pear you can cut a piece from the center to make a circle. Place cherry halves in between pears and into the center.
4. CAKE: Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.Set aside. Pour the milk and vanilla into measuring cup. set aside. --- In the large bowl of your electric mixer , beat the butter and sugar on medium-high , until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, scrape bowl sides after each addition. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture in 3 addition , alternating with the milk mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat 2 minutes.
5. Pour the batter into the cake pan and spread evenly over the pears. Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean , about 60-70 minutes.
6. Immediately place a plate larger than the pan, upside down on top of the cake. Carefully invert the cake with the plate, then carefully lift off the pan;gently shaking the pan if necessary to release the cake. Carefully remove the paper. Scrape any goo onto the cake. Let cool for 30 minutes.