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Pear Cake Recipe

Pear Cake Recipe

4.8 from 27 reviews

This Pear Cake is a soft, buttery, and subtly sweet dessert featuring ripe pear slices arranged on top of a tender, moist batter. Baked to a golden finish and topped with a light sprinkle of coarse sugar for a delightful crunch, it pairs perfectly with coffee or as an elegant, simple treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour (190g)
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (113g)
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar (135g)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup sour cream (120g)

Fruit Topping & Garnish

  • 2 ripe pears, peeled, cored & sliced thin
  • 1 tbsp turbinado or coarse sugar for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8-inch cake pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
  3. Cream butter and sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cake texture.
  4. Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time to ensure even incorporation, then mix in the vanilla extract for flavor.
  5. Incorporate sour cream: Add the sour cream to the wet mixture and mix until smooth, adding moisture and richness to the cake batter.
  6. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula, mixing gently just until combined to avoid overworking the batter.
  7. Assemble the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Arrange the thinly sliced pears neatly on top of the batter, covering the surface evenly.
  8. Add topping: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of turbinado or coarse sugar over the pear slices to create a sweet, crunchy topping once baked.
  9. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the cake is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  10. Cool and serve: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before removing and slicing. Serve with coffee or enjoy as a simple, elegant dessert.

Notes

  • Ensure the pears are ripe but firm to hold their shape during baking.
  • Do not overmix the batter once combining wet and dry ingredients to keep the cake tender.
  • Use parchment paper in the pan for easier removal and cleaner edges.
  • If you prefer, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
  • The coarse sugar topping adds a pleasant crunch but can be omitted if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: Pear Cake, Fall Dessert, Easy Cake Recipe, Butter Cake, Fruit Topped Cake, Moist Cake, Elegant Dessert