**Pear (or Apple) Cake**

**Pear (or Apple) Cake**

**Ingredients:**

– 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 3/4 cup sugar
– 2 large eggs
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
– 2-3 pears (or apples), peeled, cored, and sliced
– 1-2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional, for sprinkling on top)
– Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)

#### **Instructions:**

1. **Preheat the Oven:**
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or springform pan.

2. **Prepare the Dry Ingredients:**
– In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

3. **Cream the Butter and Sugar:**
– In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).

4. **Add Eggs and Vanilla:**
– Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.

5. **Incorporate the Dry Ingredients:**
– Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the sour cream (or Greek yogurt), beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.

6. **Prepare the Fruit:**
– Arrange the pear or apple slices on top of the batter in a decorative pattern. If you prefer, you can also mix some of the fruit slices into the batter.

7. **Optional Topping:**
– Sprinkle the top with brown sugar for a caramelized finish (optional).

8. **Bake the Cake:**
– Bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
– If the cake is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.

9. **Cool and Serve:**
– Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
– Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

This fruit cake is a delightful and simple dessert, perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee. The fruit slices bake into the cake, adding moisture and sweetness to each bite. Enjoy!