Old Fashioned Pear Spice Cake

The perfect cake for a Holiday meal, or any other time of the year. My mother-in-law gave me this recipe and it is wonderful. She lives in Arizona, and is a really good cook. It's a great use of the winter pears we see in the stores now, during December.

1-1/2 cup each sugar and oil
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups flour
4 eggs
3 medium 'firm-ripe' pears
1/2 cup chopped almonds or walnuts

Combine sugar, oil, baking powder, baking soda, spices, salt, and flour. Beat on med-hi speed with mixer for 5 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time. Peel and core pears and cut into 1/2" chunks. Fold pears and nuts into batter. Pour into an ungreased 9"x13" glass baking dish. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour, or until a pick in the center comes out clean. Cool on a rack. Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting. (follows) Serves 12.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1/4 cup butter
1 3oz package of cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla

Beat all ingredients until smooth. Beat in 2-1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar. Spread on cooled Pear Spice Cake.