Maple-Pear Upside-Down Cake

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 350°.
2. 2
   Bring syrup to a boil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; cook 2 minutes.
3. 3
   Remove from heat; arrange pears in pan in a spokelike fashion.
4. 4
   Place pan over medium-high heat, and cook until syrup thickens (about 4 minutes), gently shaking pan frequently.
5. 5
   Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife.
6. 6
   Combine flour and next 4 ingredients (flour through salt); stirring well with a whisk.
7. 7
   Place sugar, butter, and vanilla in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well-blended (about 2 minutes).
8. 8
   Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
9. 9
   Stir in flour mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
10. 10
    Pour batter evenly over pear mixture in prepared pan; wrap handle of skillet with foil.
11. 11
    Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until cake springs back when touched lightly in center.
12. 12
    Run a knife around outside edge.
13. 13
    Cool in pan 5 minutes.
14. 14
    Place a plate upside down on top of cake; invert onto plate.
15. 15
    Serve warm.