Pear Upside-Down Cake

Preparation: 20 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
Yield: 16 servings

3 fresh pears (1 lb), peeled
3/4 C brown sugar
1 t pumpkin pie spice
1/2 C dried cranberries
1 package (2-layer) yellow cake mix
1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding
4 eggs
1 1/4 C water
1/4 C oil
2 C whipped topping, thawed
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut pears in half lengthwise, remove the core; cut in lengthwise slices 1/4″ thick. Arrange them on the bottom of a 9 x 13″ pan, sprayed with cooking spray. Mix the sugar and the spice; sprinkle over the pears. Top with the cranberries.

Beat well the next 5 ingredients with an electric mixer; pour in the pan. Bake 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge. Put a serving plate on top of the cake; invert. Remove the pan with care. Let cool slightly. Serve with whipped topping.