Sliced pears, spiced with lemon and nutmeg, are baked in dough glistening with sugar and butter. This is a great way to use those pears that never ripen.

Preparation time:   30 min Baking time:   25 min Oven temp:   425 degrees F

For 1 9-inch square cake, 6 to 8 servings, you will need: 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 Tbsp. brown sugar, packed 1 tsp. baking powder 1/4 tsp. salt 3 Tbsp. butter or margarine 1 egg 1 tsp. grated lemon rind 1/4 cup milk 3 pears, pared and sliced 1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp. ground nutmeg 3 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted

 

1. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. 2. Cut in butter until mixture resembles cornmeal. 3. Beat together egg, lemon rind and milk. Combine with the flour mixture. Pat out into a 9-inch-square greased pan. 4. Arrange pears in 2 to 3 rows, pushing gently into dough. Sprinkle with sugar and nutmeg. Drizzle with melted butter. 5. Bake at 425 degrees F for 25 min. Tips: A good way to get more protein into this dessert is to add 1 Tbsp. each dried milk and wheat germ. Other variations are to add 1 tsp. ginger to the crust and 1/2 cup grated Cheddar cheese to the topping. Chocolate lovers can sprinkle 1/2 cup chocolate chips over pears before baking. Good served with: Thin slices of Edam cheese and hot coffee.