The cake batter bakes up over a double layering of pears, which soften and make a dense, almost bread pudding-like texture to this cake. And it’s gluten free!
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1. Preheat oven to 350F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9” springform pan.
2. Combine almond meal, grits, baking soda and salt, mix well.
3. With a mixer, beat butter, sugar and molasses until fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs, beat well. Turn mixer to low and add dry ingredients, mixing just until well blended. Scrape batter into the prepared springform pan smoothing the top.
4. Cut pears in half and remove cores from each. Cut each half into quarters. Place half of the pear quarters in a circle over the top of the cake batter.
5. Bake cake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and quickly add another layer of the pears on top of the partially baked cake. Return to oven and bake another 10 minutes. Remove cake from oven and while still hot, sprinkle generously with turbinado or white sugar.