3/4 c  Butter, divided,
-reserve 1/2 cup
1 c  Brown Sugar, divided
-reserve 1/2 cup
3    Ripe Pears, peeled, cored
-and thinly sliced
1    Egg
1/4 c  Molasses, dark
1 1/2 c  All Purpose Flour
2 ts Ground Ginger
1 ts Cinnamon
1/4 ts Nutmeg
1/4 ts Cloves
3/4 ts Baking Soda
1/4 ts Salt
1/3 c  Boiling Water
1    -mixed with 1 tsp Vanilla
1/2 c  Heavy Whipping Cream
-see note

Note:Whipping Cream; beat to a soft peak with 1/4 cup of confectioners
sugar and 1 tsp vanilla (optional) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly
spray a 9″ round or square cake pan. Set aside. In a large heavy skillet,
heat the 1/4 cup of butter and add 1/2 cup of the brown sugar, stirring
frequently until sugar melts. Add the pear slices and cook, stirring
frequently until the pears begin to soften. Pour into the prepared pan and
set aside. In a large bowl, beat together the remaining butter and brown
sugar until light, about 1 minute. Add the egg and molasses and continue to
beat until well blended.
On a piece of wax paper, sift together the flour, ginger, cinnamon,
nutmeg, cloves, baking soda and salt. Gently fold into the butter/sugar
mixture alternating with the boiling water. DO NOT OVERMIX. Spoon the
batter over the prepared pears and bake in the preheated oven for 35 -40
minutes or until the cake is springy to the touch. Remove the cake to a
wire rack to cool for 5 minutes then invert it on a serving plate. Slice
into squares or wedges and serve with the whipped cream if desired.