maple pear upside down cake

courtesy of: mark bittman, the minimalist
submitted by: several
serves: 8

- 11 tbsp butter
- 3/4c maple syrup
- 1/4c packed brown sugar
- 3 to 4 pears, peeled and thinly sliced
- 3/4c granulate sugar
- 1tsp vanilla
- 2 large eggs
- 1-1/2c flour
- 1-1/2tsp baking powder
- 1/4tsp salt
- 1/2c milk

1. preheat oven to 350.

2. melt 3 tbsp butter in a small saucepan over med heat; add syrup and brown sugar and cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves. bring to a boil and cook for another 2 min; remove from heat and set aside. when mixture has cooled a bit, pour into a 9" baking pan and arrange pear slices on top.

3. with a handheld mixer, beat remaining 8 tbsp butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. add vanilla and eggs, one at a time, continuing to mix until smooth. in a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt.

4. add flour mix to the butter mix in three batches, alternating with milk; do not over mix. carefully spread batter over pears, using a spatula to make sure it is evenly distributed. bake until top of cake is golden brown and edges begin to pull from the sides of the pan, about 45-50 min; a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean. let cool 5 min.

5. run a knife around the edge of the pan and carefully flip it onto a pie plate. serve warm or at room temp.

image: ny times