PEAR CAKE WITH APPLE CARAMEL SAUCE

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup canola oil
• 1/3 cup milk (2%)
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups shredded peeled firm ripe pears
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• Apple Caramel Sauce*
• Sweetened whipped cream*

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, salt and nutmeg in a bowl.
3. Whisk together eggs, oil, milk and vanilla until blended. Add egg mixture to flour mixture and stir just until combined. Fold in pears and pecans.
4. Spread batter in a greased and floured 9x13 inch baking pan.
5. Bake until a cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean, about 40 - 45 minutes. Cool cake completely in pan on a rack. Serve cake with warm Apple Caramel Sauce and whipped cream.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup salted butter
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed golden brown sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened apple juice
• 1/4 cup whipping cream
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Yield: Makes about 1 cup.

Directions

1. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in sugar and brown sugar. Cook, stirring frequently, until sugar and brown sugar are dissolved, about 2 minutes. Mixture may separate slightly. Stir in apple juice, cream and lemon juice. Bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until mixture is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Serve warm. May be prepared in advance and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Reheat over low heat.