Description
This spiced pear upside down cake delivers warm fall flavors, soft caramel-soaked pears, and a tender molasses-kissed crumb. It’s stunning to serve and surprisingly simple to bake.
Ingredients
3 Bosc or Anjou pears, peeled, cored, and sliced
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, for the topping
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 whole star anise (optional)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon molasses
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup buttermilk
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch cake pan thoroughly.
2. In a small saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter with 1/2 cup brown sugar until it bubbles gently.
3. Pour the caramel mixture into the bottom of the cake pan. Arrange pear slices in a fan pattern over the caramel. Add star anise to the center if using.
4. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
5. In a separate bowl, cream 1/2 cup softened butter with 2/3 cup brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the molasses.
6. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well. Stir in vanilla extract.
7. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
8. Spoon the batter over the pears and smooth the top.
9. Bake for 40–45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs and the center springs back.
10. Cool the cake for 10 minutes in the pan. Then invert it onto a serving plate while still warm.
11. Serve slightly warm with whipped cream or crème fraîche if desired.
Notes
Use firm, just-ripe pears to avoid mushy or undercooked texture.
Let the cake rest for 10 minutes before flipping to allow the caramel to set.
Do not skip creaming the butter and sugar—it ensures a light, tender crumb.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: pear cake, upside down cake, fall dessert, spiced cake