I promised to post this a while back and quickly forgot as I had just sold my waterfront home, got a divorce and moved to my little cottage.

This recipe may be made with any variety of pear, or use apples. Sprinkle the cake with sifted confectioners’ sugar or use a simple Vanilla or Caramel Glaze.

Ingredients

• For the Fruit Mixture:
• 3 cups Asian Pears(diced)
• 1 cup pecans (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/3 cup sugar
• For the Cake:
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3 large eggs

Instructions

1. Grease and flour a 12-cup Bundt pan or spray generously with Baker’s Joy or other similar baking spray mixture with flour. Heat oven to 325 F.
2. Combine diced pears, pecans, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/3 cup granulated sugar; toss. Cover and set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flours, brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, salt, and soda; mix to blend thoroughly.
4. With electric mixture on low, stir in oil, vanilla, and eggs until well blended. Stir in the fruit and nut mixture until blended.
5. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in center of the cake comes out clean.
6. Cool in pan on rack for 15 minutes. Turn out onto rack to cool completely.
7. Transfer to a serving plate and glaze with a vanilla or caramel glaze or just dust with powdered sugar.

Caramel Glaze

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed)
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Instructions

1. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat
2. Add the brown sugar to the butter and cook, stirring, for 1 minute
3. Add salt and cream; bring to a boil over medium heat. Continue cooking, stirring, for 2 minutes.
4. Cool for about 15 to 20 minutes and then drizzle over cake.

Vanilla Glaze

Ingredients

• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar (sifted before measuring)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (clear for whiter icing)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 to 4 tablespoons milk

Instructions

1. Combine the sifted confectioners’ sugar, softened butter, vanilla extract, salt, and 3 tablespoons milk in a mixing bowl.
2. Stir until smooth and well blended.
3. Adjust for desired consistency as needed, adding more milk for drizzling or more confectioners’ sugar for spreading.
4. Use immediately to top a cake, cookies, and other treats.