Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake

Another delicious (but not so healthy) recipe from the new Taste of Home, Feb. & Mar, 2011 issue

1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 large pears, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1/3 cup molasses

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp. ground ginger
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 cup warm water

1) Pour melted butter into a 9 inch square baking pan; sprinkle with nuts and brown sugar. Arrange pears over nuts

2) In a large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

3) Beat in egg and molasses

4) Combine the flour, ginger, cinnamon, salt, baking powder and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with water, beating well after each addition

5) Spread batter over pears.

6) Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving place.

Serve warm with ice cream or whipped topping if desired.

I served this tonight to friends T & S and da hubby. Da son passed on dessert - we were all thankful because everyone had 2nds.