SPICED PEAR UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE

Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake image

The flavors of fresh, sweet pears and gingerbread blend beautifully in this intriguing variation on pineapple upside down cake. Leftovers-if there are any-taste great with coffee or tea the next day. -Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h

Yield 9 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 large pears, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/3 cup molasses
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup warm water
Ice cream, optional

Steps:

Pour melted butter into a 9-in. square baking pan; sprinkle with nuts and brown sugar. Arrange pears over nuts., In a large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and molasses. Combine the flour, ginger, cinnamon, salt, baking powder and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with water, beating well after each addition., Spread batter over pears. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate. Serve warm with ice cream if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 419 calories, Fat 25g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 77mg cholesterol, Sodium 347mg sodium, Carbohydrate 47g carbohydrate (25g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 4g protein.