Orange and Pear Upside-Down Cake

Name: Orange and Pear Upside-Down Cake
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 10 servings.
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, cubed; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 2 medium ripe pears, peeled and quartered; 2 tablespoons grated orange zest, divided; 2/3 cup sugar; 1/3 cup coconut oil; 1 large egg, room temperature; 1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour; 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup half-and-half cream

I love cooking with my cast-iron skillet, whether it's to make a main dish or dessert. This upside-down cake is a fall version of a typical summer favorite. — Linda Persall, Cullman, Alabama

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 medium ripe pears, peeled and quartered
2 tablespoons grated orange zest, divided
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup coconut oil
1 large egg, room temperature
1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup half-and-half cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Place butter in a 10-in. cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet; place pan in oven until butter is melted, 3-5 minutes. Carefully tilt pan to coat bottom and sides with butter. Sprinkle with brown sugar and 1 tablespoon orange zest. Arrange pears in a single layer over sugar.
In a large bowl, beat sugar, coconut oil, egg and remaining 1 tablespoon orange zest until well blended. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt; gradually beat into sugar mixture alternately with cream.
Spoon over pears. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 45-50 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate. Serve warm.