Pine Creek Style: Pear Vodka Strudel Cake...

This cake was amazing! This new recipe of mine was devoured this past Holiday. It would be perfect for the New Years Holiday too! Whether you choose to serve it after dinner for dessert or in the morning with coffee, you will be happy with the results.

My special ingredient was "Iced Cake Vodka"...

This cake was so moist & flavorful! A real treat!

A small amount of canned pumpkin is the secret ingredient...this helps to keep the cake so moist.

Yum...The Almond Strudel adds a wonderful nutty sweet flavor...

Pear Vodka Strudel Cake

1 cake mix, vanilla bean flavor (or you may use "white")

1/2 cup of Sour Cream

1/2 cup of canned pumpkin puree'

3 eggs. beaten

1/3 cup of canola oil

1/3 cup of Iced Cake Vodka (or regular Vodka no flavoring added)

**( In addition: 1/8 cup Vodka reserved for when the cake is cooked, see instructions below)

1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon of almond extract

1 1/2 cups of diced pears, drained

Mix well, EXCEPT the Pears...*see baking instructions below

Almond Strudel Topping

3/4 cup of brown sugar

1/2 cup of Old Fashion rolled Oats

1/4 cup of butter, melted

1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice

3/4 cup of sliced almonds

Mix well & set aside...

(*You may want to add a piece of foil to lightly cover the almond mixture while baking)

Baking Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a springform pan with Cooking Spray, then sugar coat the pan.

Mix together everything for the cake except the Pears...mix well

Pour Batter in the pan.

Next: Add the pears... place on top of the batter

NOW: Add the Almond Strudel to the top of the pears & cake batter. Pat down lightly.

Bake at 350 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes. Use a toothpick to check cake, should come out clean.

WHEN the cake is done, let cool for 20 minutes before removing the outside ring on the Springform pan.

THEN...with a tooth pick poke holes around the top of the finished cake.

**Then drizzle the 1/4 vodka around the top of the cooked cake. Let the cake sit another 10 minutes to allow the vodka to soak in. This step is optional.

Time to Serve....with Champagne or Coffee!