Autumn Baking: Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake.

Last Friday morning I woke up craving a slice of cake, so after walking the dogs, brewing coffee and checking emails, I hunted down a few organic pears and I baked the most delicious upside down pear cake there is!

It's the weirdest thing, but lately whenever I feel a bit down about something, I bake. So here is a cake that will solve all your Monday worries with every new bite and make your flat smell all autumny of ginger, caramelized pear and cinnamon. Are you tempted? xo


Spiced pear upside-down cake
(Makes: 9 servings. Recipe adapted from Taste of Home)

Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 large pears, peeled and sliced
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 1.5  cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup warm water

In a small pot, melt 1/2 cup of butter with 1/4 cup of brown sugar. Next, pour the mixture into a 9-in. square baking pan and arrange pears over it.

In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup of softened butter and 1/3 cup of brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and the molasses. In a smaller bowl, combine the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking powder and baking soda and then add to the 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 near the centre comes out clean. Cool for about an hour before flipping it over and eating. Ta dah!

P.S: Also, this French take on baked apples and autumn-perfect garlic bites :)
P.P.S: Plus, maple and vanilla roasted pears :)

(Photos by exPress-o)