Let me tell you about my absolute favorite dessert: spiced pear upside down cake! This cake is a delightful blend of sweet, juicy pears and warm spices, creating a truly moist and flavorful treat that’s perfect for any occasion. I remember the first time I made it for a family gathering; the aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg filled the kitchen, and I couldn’t wait to share it with everyone. As soon as it came out of the oven, I knew I had created something special. The way the caramelized brown sugar melds with the pears is simply heavenly! Trust me, this cake isn’t just a dessert; it’s a cozy hug on a plate. You’ll want to dive right in and savor every bite!
Ingredients List
- 3 ripe pears, sliced
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Prepare a Spiced Pear Upside Down Cake
Prepping the Oven and Cake Pan
First things first, let’s get that oven preheated to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial because it ensures your cake starts baking at the right temperature, giving it that perfect rise. While the oven heats up, grab a round cake pan (9 inches works beautifully) and melt 1/4 cup of unsalted butter in it. You can pop it in the oven for just a minute or two, or do it on the stovetop. Once melted, sprinkle 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar over the butter and give it a little swirl to combine. This combo creates that delicious caramel base for the pears to sit on. Trust me, you’ll want to get this right!
Arranging the Pears
Now for the fun part! Take those lovely sliced pears and start arranging them over the brown sugar mixture. I like to get creative here; you can overlap the slices in a circular pattern or make a fun design—just make sure they’re evenly spread out. The goal is to have them look beautiful since they’ll be the star of your cake once it’s flipped! Don’t worry too much about perfection; it’s all going to end up tasting amazing, no matter how it looks.
Mixing the Ingredients
In a separate bowl, let’s mix our dry ingredients. Combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Give it a good whisk to ensure everything’s evenly distributed. Now, in another bowl, beat together 1/2 cup of granulated sugar and 2 large eggs until the mixture is light and fluffy—this is where the magic happens! Then, mix in 1/2 cup of milk and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Once that’s all combined, gradually fold in the dry ingredients until just mixed. Be careful not to overmix; we want a tender cake!
Baking the Cake
Pour that luscious batter over the arranged pears in the pan, spreading it out gently to cover them completely. Pop that beauty into the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Oh, the smell of warm spices will fill your kitchen and drive everyone wild with anticipation!
Cooling and Inverting
Once baked, let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This is the hardest part—waiting! After it’s cooled slightly, place a plate over the pan and carefully invert it. Give it a gentle shake and lift the pan off. Voilà! You’ve got a stunning spiced pear upside down cake! Let it cool a bit more before slicing, and prepare for the compliments to roll in!
Tips for Success
To ensure your spiced pear upside down cake turns out perfectly, here are some of my go-to tips! First, always measure your ingredients accurately. I recommend using a kitchen scale for precision, especially with flour. Too much can lead to a dense cake. If you’re short on pears, feel free to substitute with apples or even peaches for a delightful twist. Just make sure they’re ripe and juicy! When mixing, be gentle—overmixing can lead to a tough texture. And don’t skip on letting the cake cool for a few minutes before inverting; this helps prevent any sticky disasters! Lastly, if you want an extra flavor boost, try adding a splash of bourbon to the batter. It’s a game changer!
Serving Suggestions
When it comes to serving your spiced pear upside down cake, the possibilities are as delightful as the cake itself! I love to serve it warm, just out of the oven, so everyone can enjoy that gooey, caramelized goodness. A scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side is a must—it melts slightly into the warm cake, creating a heavenly combination! For an extra touch, drizzle some caramel sauce or a sprinkle of chopped nuts on top. If you want to impress, add a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Trust me, it’ll turn a simple dessert into a showstopper!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your delicious spiced pear upside down cake fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can refrigerate it for about a week. Just make sure it’s well covered to prevent it from drying out. When you’re ready to enjoy a slice, simply pop it in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds to warm it up. If you prefer it a bit crispy, you can also reheat it in a toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes. Enjoy every bite!
Nutritional Information
Each slice of this delightful spiced pear upside down cake is estimated to contain around 250 calories, 10g of fat, 3g of protein, and 36g of carbohydrates. Keep in mind that these values are just estimates, but they’ll give you a good idea of the deliciousness you’re indulging in. Enjoy with a smile!
FAQ Section
Can I use other fruits instead of pears?
Absolutely! While the spiced pear upside down cake is fabulous with pears, you can swap them out for apples, peaches, or even berries. Just be sure to choose fruits that are ripe and juicy to keep that moist texture.
What if I don’t have brown sugar?
If you find yourself without brown sugar, no worries! You can substitute it with an equal amount of granulated sugar mixed with a teaspoon of molasses. This will mimic that rich flavor and help create that lovely caramel layer.
How can I make this cake gluten-free?
To make a gluten-free spiced pear upside down cake, simply replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour blend. It works like a charm and tastes just as amazing!
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes! This cake is perfect for making in advance. You can bake it a day or two ahead of time and store it covered at room temperature. Just warm it up slightly before serving for that fresh-out-of-the-oven taste.
How do I know when the cake is done baking?
You’ll know your spiced pear upside down cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on it during the last few minutes of baking, as ovens can vary!
Spiced Pear Upside Down Cake: 7 Irresistible Tips to Savor
- Temps Total: 50 minutes
- Rendement: 8 servings 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
A delicious spiced pear upside down cake that is moist and flavorful.
Ingrédients
- 3 ripe pears, sliced
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Melt butter in a round cake pan and add brown sugar to it.
- Arrange pear slices over the brown sugar mixture.
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat granulated sugar and eggs until fluffy.
- Add milk and vanilla to the egg mixture and mix well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
- Pour the batter over the pears in the pan.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before inverting onto a plate.
Notes
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
- Great with vanilla ice cream.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Temps De Préparation: 15 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 35 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: Baking
- Cuisine: American
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sucre: 20g
- De Sodium: 150mg
- La graisse: 10g
- Graisses Saturées: 5g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 3g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 36g
- La fibre: 2g
- La protéine: 3g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 50mg
Mots-clés: spiced pear upside down cake
