Maple-Cardamom Pear Upside Down Cake - SippitySup

Ingredients

• cooking spray
• 2–3 small pears (small pears will be more decorative)
• ¼ cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (divided)
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract tab
• 2–3 tablespoons finely chopped candied ginger (or to taste)
• ice cream (for serving, optional)