Pear & Walnut Cake with Honey Buttercream

INGREDIENTS

3 cups

water

1 cup

honey

2 tbsp

lemon juice

cinnamon stick

pears (small, peeled)

2 1/4 cups

all-purpose flour

2 tsp

baking powder

3/4 tsp

salt

1/2 tsp

ground cinnamon

3/4 cup

unsalted butter (room temperature)

3/4 cup

granulated sugar

3/4 cup

light brown sugar (packed)

large eggs (room temperature)

1 1/2 tsp

vanilla

1 cup

buttermilk (room temperature)

1 cup

chopped walnuts (toasted)

2 cups

shredded pears (approx. 2 pears, peeled, cored, and coarse shredded)

large egg whites

1 cup

granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups

unsalted butter (room temperature)

1/4 cup

honey

poached pears (optional)

chopped walnuts (toasted)