Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
                        cake
     1/2  cup           vegetable oil
   1      cup           brown sugar
   2                    eggs
   2                    fresh california bartlett pears
   2      cups          flour
   1      teaspoon      baking powder
   1      teaspoon      baking soda
   1      teaspoon      salt
   1      teaspoon      cinnamon
     1/2  teaspoon      ground cloves
     1/2  teaspoon      ground nutmeg
     1/2  teaspoon      ground ginger
     3/4  cup           butter milk
   1      cup           golden raisins
                        icing
   6      ounces        cream cheese
     1/4  cup           butter
   2      cups          powdered sugar
     3/4  teaspoon      vanilla
   3      teaspoons     milk

Preparation:

Beat oil, sugar and eggs in a bowl until smooth. Halve and core pears; finely chop pears to measure 1 cup. Combine flour with dry ingredients; mix into creamed mixture alternating with buttermilk. Fold chopped pears and raisins into batter. Pour into a greased 13" x 9" pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven 30 to 40 minutes, until tester comes out clean and dry. Cool in pan 10 minutes; invert and cool on rack. To prepare icing; beat cream cheese with butter until smooth. Beat in powdered sugar and vanilla. Gradually add milk until icing is smooth and spreadable. Spread icing on cake.