Spiced Pear Upside Down Cake

Spiced Pear Upside Down Cake

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 large pears peeled and sliced
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup molasses
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp ginger
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup warm water

Pour melted butter into a 9 inch square baking pan.  Sprinkle with nuts and brown sugar.  Arrange pears over nuts.  In a large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in egg and molasses.  Combine the flour, ginger, cinnamon, salt, baking powder and soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with water, beating well after each addition.

Spread batter over pears. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate.  Serve warm with ice cream if desired.

Found at Taste of Home.