Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake Recipe

Introduction

Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake is a delightful dessert that combines tender, fragrant pears with warm spices and a buttery cake base. Its beautiful caramelized top makes it perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a cozy treat at home.

Ingredients

• 3 ripe pears, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and sprinkle a little sugar evenly across the bottom to help caramelize the pears.
2. Step 2: Arrange the sliced pears neatly in a single layer on the bottom of the prepared pan.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
4. Step 4: In another bowl, combine melted butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined to form the batter.
5. Step 5: Pour the batter evenly over the arranged pears, smoothing the top gently.
6. Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Step 7: Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes, then carefully invert it onto a serving plate so the pears are on top.
8. Step 8: Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Tips & Variations

• Use ripe but firm pears to ensure they hold their shape during baking.
• Try substituting half the pears with apples for a different flavor profile.
• Adding a pinch of ground ginger can add extra warmth to the spice mix.
• For a nutty twist, sprinkle chopped toasted pecans or walnuts over the pears before adding the batter.

Storage

Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat slices gently in the microwave or oven before serving to regain softness and warmth.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend in equal amounts. Make sure your baking powder is gluten-free as well.

What type of pears work best in this recipe?

Firm varieties like Bosc, Anjou, or Bartlett pears are ideal because they hold their shape well during baking without becoming too mushy.

Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 206 reviews

This Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake is a delightful dessert featuring tender, caramelized pears nestled beneath a warmly spiced and moist cake. The combination of aromatic spices and buttery richness creates a comforting treat perfect for fall and winter gatherings.

• Author: Ria
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pears

• 3 ripe pears, peeled, cored, and sliced

Dry Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ⅓ cup brown sugar

Instructions

1. Prepare the Topping: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a 9-inch round cake pan, melt the 3 tablespoons of butter over low heat, then sprinkle the brown sugar evenly on top. Arrange the sliced pears decoratively on the sugar mixture, ensuring a visually appealing pattern as this will be the top once inverted.
2. Make the Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, combine the melted butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
3. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently just until combined to avoid overmixing. The batter should be smooth and slightly thick.
4. Assemble and Bake: Pour the batter evenly over the arranged pears in the cake pan, spreading gently to cover all slices. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges are golden.
5. Cool and Invert: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. Run a knife around the edges to loosen it, then place a serving plate over the pan and carefully invert the cake to release it, revealing the caramelized spiced pears on top. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

• Use ripe but firm pears to ensure they hold their shape during baking.
• Spices can be adjusted to taste or substituted with a pre-made pumpkin pie spice for convenience.
• Let cooling time complete before inverting to prevent the topping from sticking or breaking.
• This cake pairs beautifully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Keywords: Spiced Pear Cake, Upside-Down Cake, Fall Dessert, Caramelized Pears, Holiday Cake