Preparation Steps
- Start topping by putting brown sugar, spices, flour, wheat germ, nuts and butter in a food processor.
Blend down until crumbly.
Cover and place in fridge to keep cold.
- Grease a 10 springform pan with butter, then lightly dust with flour and tap out the excess.
Set aside.
Toss pears with lemon juice and set aside.
- With an electric mixer, beat butter, sugar and lemon zest for cake batter until fluffy, approximately 3-5 minutes.
Add eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
Starting with sour cream, alternately add to cake batter along with dry ingredients until just combined.
- Pour cake batter into the prepared pan.
Top pears and sprinkle crumble topping over the fruit.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.
Remove from oven and cool in pan for at least 20-25 minutes before serving.