Lacy Pear Cake

Looks elegant.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 8-12
• Yields: 2 8-inch layers

Ingredients

• 1 3⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1⁄2 cups  packed brown sugar
• 3⁄4 cup shortening
• 3  eggs
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1⁄2 cups fresh pears, finely chopped
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped  blanched almond
•  powdered sugar (to garnish)
•  whipped cream (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans; set aside.
3. Mix flour, brown sugar, shortening, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, baking soda and nutmeg in large bowl with electric mixer.
4. Beat 3 minutes at medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally.
5. Stir in pears and almonds. Pour into prepared pans.
6. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
7. Cool in pan 10 minutes; turn out onto wire rack and cool completely.
8. Place lacy paper doily on each cake layer. Dust with powdered sugar; carefully remove doily.
9. Serve cake with whipped cream, if desired.