Pear Upside-Down Cake

O.k.  Let's see a show of hands.  How many of you watch Downton Abby?  Wow!  So many?  I didn't discover D.A. until this year.  My husband and I are watching from the beginning thanks to my friend, Michelle.  We are half way through season 2 right now, so don't tell me what is happening in season 3.

We were so into the series that Dave wanted to watch ahead while I was traveling for work.  Being the kind, considerate wife that I am I told him to go ahead, watch without me...and then I hid the DVDs (Yep, I'm kind like that).

Well, I did feel guilty before I left and got them out of the hiding place, but he, being the truly kind person he is, waited for me.  We will get through season 2 before I have to leave for work again.  I can't wait for Michelle to get her pre-ordered season 3 so I can borrow it!

I made this pear upside-down cake to use some of the pears from my February's fruit of the month box.  The pears are delicious, the cake is o.k.  If you need something in a hurry, this will do.  It was fast and easy.  That way I could get another episode of D.A. in before I went to bed.

Pear Upside-Down Cake
Betty Crocker

1/4

cup butter or margarine

1/4

cup packed brown sugar

1

large pear, thinly sliced

2

tablespoons chopped pecans

1 1/2

cups Original Bisquick® mix

1/2

cup packed brown sugar

1/2

cup milk or water

2

tablespoons vegetable oil

1

teaspoon vanilla

1/2

teaspoon ground cinnamon

1

egg

Whipped cream, if desired

Butter melting in the oven in my favorite cast iron pan.

• 1Heat oven to 350°F. In 9-inch round or 8-inch square pan, melt butter in oven. Sprinkle 1/4 cup brown sugar evenly over melted butter. Arrange pear slices in single layer on sugar mixture; sprinkle with pecans.
• 
  
• 2In medium bowl, beat remaining ingredients except whipped cream with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on medium speed 4 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour batter over pear slices and pecans.
• 3Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediately place heatproof serving plate upside down over pan; turn plate and pan over. Leave pan over cake a few minutes so brown sugar mixture can drizzle over cake; remove pan. Cool at least 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with whipped cream. Store cake loosely covered.

Cake, hot out of the oven.

Upside-down cake, look at those caramelized pears, YUM!

February 11, 2013  Daylight 8 hours, 7 minutes, 49 seconds  Temp. H 7/ L -9 °F