Preheat oven to 350°F

Butter a large (10") cast iron skillet and set aside

In a small bowl combine 3 Tablespoons white sugar with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves

Place sliced pears in a large bowl and toss with spiced sugar mixture; set aside.

In a large bowl whisk together, flour, baking powder, and salt.

In a large bowl whisk together remaining 1/2 Cup white sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and eggs.

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet and stir to combine (I recommend a wooden spoon).

Pour 1/2 the batter (very, very thick batter) into the skillet and spread it with a buttered spatula. In whatever design/pattern/haphazard manner you like - lay 1/2 the spiced pears on top of the batter in the skillet.

Using a buttered spatula, spread the remaining 1/2 of the batter over the the pears in the skillet (don't worry if it's not an even layer)

Top this with the rest of the spiced pears, and then pour the spiced pear juice mixture from the bowl all over the pears and batter.

Bake anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes - this will vary depending upon your oven and your skillet. You want a toothpick or dry spaghetti noodle to come out with crumbs, but no batter.