Created by Derf on February 9, 2012
Step 1: Spread 1/4 cup butter on bottom of 10 inch round cake pan or 9 inch square cake pan. Sprinkle with the 2 tablespoons sugar. Arrange pear slices on top.
Step 2: Cream together remaining butter and brown sugar. Beat in egg until light and fluffy. Stir in molasses.
Step 3: Dissolve baking soda in boiling water, set aside.
Step 4: Sift together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Add flour mixture alternately with dissolved baking soda to creamed mixture, stirring just until blended. Pour over pears.
Step 5: Bake in 350°F oven 50-65 minutes or until tester inserted into centre comes out clean.
Step 6: Run knife around edge of pan to loosen cake. Let cool in pan for 15 minutes, then invert a serving plate on top of pan and turn out upside-down onto plate. Serve warm.