Begin by peeling the pears. Cut half of the pears into small chunks, which will be mixed into the batter, and slice the other half into thin slices for decorating the top of the cake. Grate the rind of half a lemon and set it aside for later use.

Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites. Place the egg whites in a mixing bowl and whisk them until stiff peaks form; set aside. This will help make the cake light and airy.

In a separate bowl, combine the egg yolks and granulated sugar. Mix well until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Add the ricotta cheese and stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Next, add the flour, baking powder, and grated lemon zest to the yolk and ricotta mixture. Stir thoroughly until there are no lumps and the batter is smooth.

Carefully fold the small chunks of pear (from Step 1) into the batter using a spatula, ensuring they are evenly distributed. Then, gently fold the whipped egg whites (from Step 2) into the batter in several additions, being careful not to deflate the mixture. This step keeps the cake's texture light. Personally, I like to fold the egg whites in three stages—this makes them easier to incorporate while maintaining maximum airiness.

Line a 23-cm (9-inch) cake pan with baking paper. Pour the cake batter into the pan and spread it evenly with a spatula. Arrange the pear slices (from Step 1) in a circular pattern on top of the batter to create a decorative, sun-like design. Sprinkle a little granulated sugar on the surface for a golden, caramelized finish. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 50 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; if it comes out clean, the cake is ready. If not, bake for an additional 10 minutes.

Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool slightly in the pan. Once lukewarm, take the cake out of the pan and transfer it to a serving plate. Dust the top generously with powdered sugar for a beautiful finish before serving. I enjoy serving this cake while it's still just a little warm, as the aroma of fresh pears really shines.