Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter, plus additional butter for the pan
  • ½ cup dry, fine, unflavored bread crumbs
  • 2 eggs
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • Tiny pinch salt
  • 1 ½ cups flour
  • 2 pounds ripe pears
  • Nutritional Information
    • Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

      642 calories; 10 grams fat; 4 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 2 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 130 grams carbohydrates; 8 grams dietary fiber; 73 grams sugars; 11 grams protein; 109 milligrams cholesterol; 218 milligrams sodium

    • Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.

One 9-inch cake

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-inch-round layer-cake pan with butter and sprinkle with the bread crumbs. Turn the pan upside down and tap it or shake it lightly to get rid of all the loose crumbs.
  2. In a bowl, beat together the eggs and milk. Add the sugar and salt and continue beating until well combined. Add the flour, mixing thoroughly with the other ingredients.
  3. Peel the pears, slice in half and scoop out the seeds and core. Cut lengthwise into thin slices. Add to the bowl, mixing them well with the other ingredients; the batter will be very thick.
  4. Spoon the batter into the pan, leveling it off with the back of a spoon or a spatula. Dot the surface with the butter.
  5. Bake in the top rack of the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden.
  6. Remove it from the pan as soon as it is cool and firm enough to handle. It may be served lukewarm or cold.
  • To seal the deal, follow up with a glass of good, dry Marsala wine (as opposed to the cheap, sweet cooking Marsala).

1 hour

Dining and Cooking