unpeeled pears, halved lengthwise, cored and cut into thin slices for the top of the cake. Note:* You should be able to make about 14 groups bunches of the sliced Granny Smith Apples, and arrange them in dozen groups around the cake, with two groups in the center, sort of like a flower. Press the slices in, keeping the round side of the slices up, and pressing them straight into the batter. This is a lovely looking cake. I have only made it once...it was quite simple, yet very elegant looking and different.