Spice Cake with Caramelized Pears and Maple Buttercream Recipe | Epicurious

Ingredients

• 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 5 large eggs
• 2 1/4 pounds Bartlett or Bosc pears (about 5)
• 1/2 stick unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons brandy
• 4 large egg whites at room temperature 30 minutes
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup maple sugar
• 1 1/3 cups pure maple syrup (preferably Grade A dark amber)
• 4 sticks (1 pound) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons and softened
• Equipment: 3 (8-inch) round cake pans (2 inches deep; see cooks' note, below); a candy thermometer