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1
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
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2
Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a small pan over medium heat; add maple syrup and brown sugar and cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves.
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3
Bring to a boil and cook for another 2 minutes; remove from heat and set aside.
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4
When mixture has cooled a bit, pour it into a 9-inch baking pan and arrange pear slices in an overlapping circle on top.
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5
With a handheld or standing mixer, beat remaining 8 tablespoons butter and the sugar until light and fluffy.
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6
Add vanilla and eggs, one egg at a time, continuing to mix until smooth.
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7
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt.
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8
Add flour mixture to butter mixture in three batches, alternating with milk; do not overmix.
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9
Carefully spread batter over pears, using a spatula to make sure it is evenly distributed.
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10
Bake until top of cake is golden brown and edges begin to pull away from sides of pan, about 45 to 50 minutes; a toothpick inserted into center should come out clean.
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11
Let cake cool for 5 minutes.
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12
Run a knife around edge of pan; put a plate on top of cake and carefully flip it so plate is on bottom and pan is on top.
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13
Serve warm or at room temperature.
