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| Grease a 9" round cake pan or tart tin with butter, using wax paper. |
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| In a small saucepan combine the 1/4 cup of butter with the 1/4 cup of brown sugar and maple syrup. Stir over moderate heat until the sugar is dissolved. Pour into the bottom of the cake pan. |
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| Cut each pear in half and the each half into 3 or 4 pieces and arrange in a circular fashion over the base. |
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Sprinkle the 1/4 tsp of ginger over the arranged fruit. |
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| Stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside. |
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In a mixing bowl, cream the 6 tbsp of butter with the white and brown sugars and grated lemon zest. Beat in eggs one at a time. Fold in flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk. |
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Spoon batter evenly over the pears. |
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Bake at 350 deg F for about 40 minutes, until the top is golden and a cake tester comes out clean. |
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Set cake pan on a rack for 5 minutes, then loosen the edges of the cake and turn out onto a serving plate. Serve warm or at room temperature, with or without whipped cream. |