Ozark Pudding Cake

Name: Ozark Pudding Cake
Ingredients: 2 large but firm pears, peeled, quartered, and cored; 1 cup (5 ounces) all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt; 4 tablespoons (2 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature; 1 cup (7 ounces), plus one teaspoon sugar; 1 egg, at room temperature; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1/2 cup sliced natural almonds, toasted; 1/2 cup dried cranberries (optional); Vanilla ice cream, for serving (optional)