Pears are beginning to ripen around Lughnasadh and they are one of the wonderful and valued fruits of the season. This pear spice cake honors all the gifts of the land plus it is a wonderful snack for gatherings. If you prefer, serve it as a celebratory dessert after games or ritual.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Chill Time: 45 minutes
Serves: 10–12

2 cups oat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cloves
1/8 teaspoon allspice
2/3 cup butter
1/2 cup baker's sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup applesauce
1/2 cup pear, grated
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
1 small pear, cored and sliced

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F°. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.

In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugars on medium speed. Add the eggs to the large bowl and mix well. Toss in the applesauce and grated pear to the large bowl and mix well. Then, add the flour mixture and mix well. Finally, fold in the chopped nuts.

Pour batter into a greased springform pan. Place pear slices on top of the batter. Bake for 1 hour, until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes before removing the sides of the pan. Cool for another 30 minutes and remove the bottom.

From Llewellyn's Sabbats Almanac: Samhain 2009 to Mabon 2010. For current almanacs and calendars from Llewellyn, click here.