Admittedly, I’m a pear snob. It’s my favorite fruit when at that perfect degree of softness, but too soft and well ... it’s a good thing I love to bake. This recipe isn’t as particular on how ripe the pear should be. So if you happen to find a forgotten pear in the back of your fridge (like I have on numerous occasions) then give this recipe a try.

‍

Ingredients:

1 Pear

½ cup coarsely chopped pecans

½ cup butter (1 stick)

1 cup brown sugar

1 tbs cinnamon

2 cup flour

1 Tbs baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 egg

1 ½ cups applesauce

1 tsp vanilla

Pinch of nutmeg

‍

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9 inch springform pan, or any other similarly sized cake pan. Slice pear into 12-14 slices and arrange slices in bottom of pan. Sprinkle pecans on top of pears. In saucepan melt together butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. In medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Pour half of the saucepan mixture over the pears and pecans and then pour the other half into the bowl with the flour. Add in the egg, applesauce, vanilla, and nutmeg to the flour mixture and then pour batter over pears. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. (Note – I had to put a sheet pan underneath the springform pan to catch drippings that made it through the bottom) Let cool for 5-10 minutes. Remove from pan, serve warm, and enjoy!