Honey Cake with Caramelized Pears

Butter, softened, for pan

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon coarse salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 extra large Harvest Haven eggs

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons Harvest Haven honey

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup sunflower oil

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest

Caramelized Pears (see below)

Freshly whipped cream for serving (optional)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter a 10-inch springform pan. Dust with flour; tap out excess. Whisk together the flour, baking powder and soda, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl; set aside. Mix eggs and sugars on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until pale and thick, about 3 minutes.

Whisk together honey, milk, oil, and zest. With mixer on low, add honey mixture to egg mixture; mix until combined, about 1 minute. Add half the flour mixture; mix until smooth. Mix in remaining flour mixture. Pour batter into pan.

Bake until dark golden brown and a cake tester inserted in center comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack 15 minutes. Run a thin knife around edge of cake; carefully remove sides of pan.Transfer cake to a platter. Top with pears. Serve with whipped cream if desired.

Caramelized Pears

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1/4 cup sugar

1 3/4 pounds Anjou pears, cut into 1/2-inch-thick wedges (or 1/4-inch-thick wedges if pears are firm)

1/4 cup Harvest Haven honey

Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sugar; cook, stirring, until almost dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes. Add pears; cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and just golden, 12 to 20 minutes. Pour in honey; cook, stirring, until pears are coated and very soft, 3 to 5 minutes.