Ozark Pudding Cake

Ingredients (12)

• 2 large but firm pears, peeled, quartered, and cored
• 1 cup (5 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 4 tablespoons (2 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup (7 ounces), plus one teaspoon sugar
• 1 egg, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sliced natural almonds, toasted
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries (optional)
• Vanilla ice cream, for serving (optional)