Name: Upside-Down Pear Gingerbread Cake
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: serves 9-12
Ingredients: 4 firm medium pears; 1/2 cup (115g; 1 stick) unsalted butter; 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar; 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled); 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger; 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup (180ml) unsulphured or dark molasses; 3/4 cup (180ml) hot water (about 100°F (38°C)); 1/2 cup (115g; 1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 1/3 cup (67g) packed light or dark brown sugar; 1 large egg, at room temperature; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; for serving: whipped cream or vanilla ice cream