Description
A delightful Moist Pear Cake that blends tender, ripe pears with a soft, buttery cake base, enhanced by warm cinnamon and brown sugar topping. This easy-to-make cake is perfect for gatherings or a cozy afternoon treat, boasting a rich flavor and a moist texture baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2¼ cups cake or all purpose flour, sifted
- 3 tsps. baking powder
- ⅛ tsp. salt (just a pinch)
- 1½ cups fine granulated white sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar (for topping)
- ¾ tsp. cinnamon (for topping)
- 2 tbsps. confectioner sugar (for dusting after baking)
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, soft, unsalted
- ⅓ cup canola oil or vegetable oil
- 1-2 tbsps. vanilla extract, per preference
- 4 whole eggs, large
- ½ cup whole fat milk
Fruit and Flavoring
- 3 whole ripe pears, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 tsp. lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking while preparing the cake batter.
- Pear Preparation: Peel the ripe pears and slice them thinly to layer on top of the batter later.
- Mix Butter and Sugar: In an electric mixer bowl, whip the softened butter and white granulated sugar together for about 1 minute until well combined and creamy.
- Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Lemon Zest: Incorporate the vanilla extract, optional lemon zest, and eggs into the mixture. Beat on high speed for 1-2 minutes until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the baking powder, sifted flour, and salt to the mix. Blend for about 1 minute to combine evenly.
- Add Milk and Oil: Gradually pour in the milk and oil while mixing on low speed. Continue mixing for another minute on low speed until the batter is thick and smooth.
- Prepare Baking Pan: Line a 10 x 3 inch deep round springform pan with parchment paper and grease or spray it well to prevent sticking.
- Pour Batter and Arrange Pears: Pour the thick batter into the prepared pan, then spread a layer of thinly sliced pears over the top evenly.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle cinnamon and brown sugar over the pears to add a warm, sweet crust.
- Bake the Cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55 minutes to 1 hour. At about 40 minutes, cover the cake loosely with foil to prevent over-browning. Check doneness by inserting a wooden skewer; it should come out clean when done.
- Cool Down: Remove the cake from the oven and cover with a kitchen towel. Allow it to cool completely for up to 1 hour, which enhances flavor and texture.
- Dust and Serve: Just before serving, dust the cooled cake with confectioner sugar for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Pan size is crucial: a 10 x 3 inch deep pan works best; changes may affect baking time.
- Use ripe but firm pears for the best texture and sweetness.
- To avoid drying out, do not overbake and use foil during the last part of baking.
- Depending on your oven, baking time may vary; always check with a skewer.
- Optional lemon zest adds a subtle freshness to balance the sweetness.
