Italian Pear Cake

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 Cups - All Purpose Flour

• 1/4 Cups + 1-1/2 TBSP - Cornstarch

• 1-1/2 Tsp - Baking Powder

• 1/4 Tsp - Baking Soda

• 3/4 Cup - Sugar, plus 1-2 TBSP for dusting top

• 3-4 Each - Pears

• 3 Each - Eggs

• 1 Cup - Mascarpone (Italian soft cheese)

• 2-1/2 TBSP - Oil (Vegetable or Canola)

• 1/4 Tsp - Salt

• 1 TBSP - Powdered Sugar

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 340º and grease and flour a 9" cake pan.

2. Peel and core pears. Dice enough for 1 cup, then thinly slice remaining pears for decorating the top.

3. Beat eggs and sugar until creamy. Add mascarpone and combine until smooth.

4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder & soda, and sugar.

5. Stir dry ingredients into egg mixture, then add oil and mix to combine.

6. Gently fold in the cup of diced pears, being careful not to mash the pears.

7. Pour batter into cake pan and spread to even consistency.

8. Top with sliced pears to cover and sprinkle with sugar.

9. Bake approximately 50-60 minutes until done.

10. Allow to cool, then dust with powdered sugar.

11. Serve and enjoy!

Tips:

• Ricotta cheese is a great substitute if you can not find mascarpone.

• Make sure your pears are ripe but are still a bit firm. Any pear works fine.

• Get creative! Add some chopped walnuts, cinnamon, and nutmeg for the holidays!