Almond Pear Cake

1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup almond meal (finely ground almonds)
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract
1 large Bartlett pear
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
extra sugar and cinnamon for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter an 8 or 9 inch springform pan and set aside.
Mix together flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well into the mixture.
Add vanilla and almond extracts.
Slowly mix in flour mixture.
Spread batter evenly in pan.
Slice pear as desired and arrange on top of the batter.
Sprinkle with a teaspoon of sugar and dust with cinnamon.
Bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown. Toothpick inserted into center should come out clean.


Tips: Try without almond meal for a less textured cake.