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1
FOR PEARS: Add lemon juice to large bowl of cold water.
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2
Peel pears, leaving stems intact.
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3
Use melon baller to remove core through bottom end.
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4
Add pears to bowl of water.
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5
Bring Port, sugar, ginger, cinnamon sticks and vanilla bean to boil in heavy large Dutch oven over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
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6
Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer syrup 10 minutes.
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7
Drain pears and add to syrup.
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8
Simmer until tender, turning frequently, about 20 minutes.
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9
Using slotted spoon, transfer pears to large container and stand upright.
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10
Boil syrup until reduced to 1 3/4 cups, about 18 minutes.
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11
Pour syrup over pears.
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12
Cover and chill.
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13
(Can be prepared 1 day ahead.)
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14
FOR CAKE: Position reack in center of oven and preheat to 350F (180C).
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15
Butter 9x13x2-inch pan.
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16
Dust pan with flour; tap out excess.
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17
Mix chopped ginger and 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar in small bowl.
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18
Let stand until syrup forms, stirring frequently, about 30 minutes.
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19
Mix flour, baking soda, and spices in medium bowl.
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20
Using electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl until fluffy.
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21
Add molasses, coffee and chopped ginger mixture and beat until blended (mixture may look curdled).
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22
Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
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23
Reduce speed to low.
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24
Add dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients and beating after each addition until just blended.
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25
Transfer bater to prepared pan.
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26
Bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 30 minutes.
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27
Transfer to rack and cool in pan.
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28
(Can be prepared 8 hours ahead.
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29
Cover and let stand at room temperature.)
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30
FOR CREAM: Beat whipping cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract and ground ginger in large bowl until firm peaks form.
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31
(Can be prepared 3 hours ahead.
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32
Cover and refrigerate.
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33
Rewhip if necessary.)
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34
Cut gingerbread into 2 1/2 inch squares.
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35
Place 1 cake square and 1 pear on each of 8 plates.
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36
Spoon some syrup over each pear.
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37
Spoon dollop of whipped cream alongside.