Almond Cake with Pear Halves

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Difficulty: 1
Spiciness: 0
Number of Servings: 6

A pastry that can be served with a cup of warm beverage or a glass of good wine.

Preheat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius. Grease a deep rectangular baking dish (10 x 33 cm) with butter. In a bowl, sift the flour and baking powder. Add almond flour and grated orange zest, then mix the ingredients well.
Using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar until fluffy. Gradually add the eggs, one at a time, to the mixture. Once you have a light, pale yellow mixture, mix in the almond and vanilla extracts, followed by the dry ingredients.
Wash, peel, and halve the pears. Pour the almond batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly, smoothing the top. Add the pear halves (cut side up) and gently press them into the batter with your fingers. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the batter comes out clean.
Let the baked cake cool in the dish for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, place it on a serving plate, dust with powdered sugar, slice, and serve.