Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Grease 4 ½ x 8-½ inch metal loaf pan. Beat together until light and fluffy: eggs, oil and sugar. Add vanilla and grated pear. In a second bowl blend the dry ingredients: flour, soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and walnuts. Add the four mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring to just moisten. Spoon into the prepared pan. Arrange pear slices on top and sprinkle with ¼ cup walnuts. Bake 50-60 minutes or until a cake tester comes clean. Cool 15 minutes before removing form pan. Brush with honey, if desired. Serve with Maple Walnut Butter.
In a small saucepan boil syrup with whole cinnamon stick 8-10 minutes until the syrup has reached soft ball stage. Remove from heat and remove the cinnamon. Whisk in butter until opaque and thickened. Stir in walnuts. Chill to firm.
