Pear Upside-Down Oatmeal Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cut each pear in half lengthwise (do not core). Cut 2 (1/4-inch-thick) slices from the cut side of each pear half to get 8 slices; set slices aside. Chop remaining pear to measure 1/2 cup; set aside.

Coat bottom of a 9-inch round cake pan with melted margarine. Sprinkle brown sugar and walnuts over margarine; set aside. Arrange the pear slices spoke-like over the brown sugar-walnut mixture, overlapping slightly; set aside.

Combine flour and next 6 ingredients (flour through salt) in a bowl, and stir well. Set aside. Beat 1/4 cup margarine and granulated sugar at medium speed of a mixer until well-blended. Add vanilla extract and egg, and beat well. Add flour mixture to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture, and beat well after each addition. Stir in chopped pear. Pour batter over the pear slices.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pan 5 minutes on a wire rack. Loosen cake from sides of pan, using a narrow metal spatula. Invert onto a cake plate; cut into wedges. Serve warm.