Preheat oven to 180oC. Lightly grease the base of a 23cm springform pan with butter and dust with flour, shaking off excess.
Place butter, sugar, vanilla extract and lemon rind in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer for 3 minutes until pale and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time until well combined.
In a separate bowl, combine sifted flour, baking powder and salt. Fold dry ingredients into the egg mixture, add milk and combine gently. Set aside.
Cut pears into 16 slices. Toss them in the extra sugar. Spoon batter into prepared pan, place pears on top and dust with cinnamon. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes. Test if cooked through by inserting a tooth pick in the cake. It should come out clean.
Serve warm with fresh cream. | 
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