Servings: 10
Ingredients
1/2 cup of butter, softened
1 cup sugar
4 eggs separated
1 tsp vanilla extract
11/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp salt
spiced pear and pecan topping
6 tbsp unsalted butter
4 large firm Bosc pears, peeled, cored and halved
Grated zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lemon
2/3 cup sugar
2 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp allspice
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup large pecan halves
Method
To prepare topping: In large skillet, over medium heat, melt butter. Add pears, zest and lemon juice, stirring gently, about 4 minutes. Add sugar, honey, spices and vanilla, cooking an additional 6 to 8 minutes, or until pears are just tender. Remove pears from skillet and reduce syrup until thick and dark.
Pour syrup in 9-inch parchment lined round cake pan. Add egg yolks, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla. In separate bowl, sift together all dry ingredients. Slowly add to egg mixture, mixing well.
In small bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Add 1/2 of the egg whites to batter, stirring to combine. Gently fold the remaining over pears and pecans. Bake 45 to 50 minutes, or until tester comes out clean. Remove from over and set aside to cool on rack 10 minutes. Gently turn upside down on platter and serve warm.