Spiced Pear Cake Recipe

The Spiced Pear Cake is a celebration of comforting flavors, gentle sweetness, and effortless elegance all in a single, irresistibly tender cake. With a quick prep, this warmly spiced dessert delivers a soft, buttery crumb, the subtle nuttiness of almonds and rye, and a crown of beautifully fanned pears. The aroma alone is inviting enough to coax anyone into the kitchen, and it feels just fancy enough for a dinner party, while being easy enough for an impromptu treat on a busy weeknight. This recipe embraces cozy spice, delicate pears, and a no-fuss method that puts real delight back into home baking.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need and why each ingredient matters:

• Butter: Softened to blend seamlessly, creating richness and a melt-in-the-mouth texture.
• Raw Sugar: Brings gentle sweetness and a slight caramel note; also lovely for extra crunch on top.
• Eggs: The backbone for structure and moisture don’t skip!
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a sweet, aromatic depth that lifts all the fruit and spice flavors.
• Rye Flour: Lends earthiness its flavor is subtle but special.
• Almond Meal: Makes the crumb moist, rich, and just a little bit nutty.
• Plain Flour: Ensures the cake holds together and bakes up tender.
• Baking Powder: For a light rise no dense cakes here.
• Mixed Spice: The real star delivering warmth and that “bakery” scent we crave.
• Flaky Salt: Amplifies sweetness and makes every bite pop.
• Beaurré Bosc Pear: Chosen for its firm flesh and aromatic taste; sliced paper-thin for a perfect topping.
• Ground Cinnamon: A light dusting on top creates aroma and deeper flavor.
• Raw Sugar (for sprinkling): Adds sparkle and a little bite to the pear topping.

Tip: Use pears that are just ripe they hold their shape and won’t sink or disappear into the batter.

Variations

Don’t be afraid to switch things up! Here are some favorite ideas:

• Apple Version: Swap the pear for apple slices—Granny Smith for tartness or Gala for sweeter flavor.
• Gluten-Free: Sub in sorghum flour or chestnut flour for the rye and plain flours; you’ll still get wonderful texture.
• Nutty Original: Replace the plain flour with crushed, toasted pecans for extra crunch and toastiness.
• Mix Up the Spices: Whatever sweet baking spice blend you love (apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice, or even gingerbread spice) will make this cake your own.

Want more depth? Try adding chopped crystallized ginger or orange zest to the batter for complexity!

How to Make Spiced Pear Cake

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line an 8-inch springform pan with baking paper. This makes for easy, non-stick removal and beautiful edges.

Step 2: Cream Butter, Sugar & Eggs

In a large bowl, combine softened butter, raw sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Beat them together for a couple of minutes with an electric mixer look for a pale, creamy mixture that says “this cake will be luscious!”

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients

Tip in the rye flour, almond meal, plain flour, baking powder, mixed spice, and salt. Give everything a short, gentle beat just until it’s combined so you preserve the cake’s tender crumb.

Step 4: Assemble for Baking

Spoon the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Take those gorgeous, paper-thin pear slices and fan them out in a circular pattern from the center they should nestle gently on top. Don’t fuss too much, rustic is charming!

Step 5: Spice & Sugar Topping

Sprinkle the cake with a touch more raw sugar for a lovely crunch, and dust the surface well with cinnamon. This “crust” bakes up golden and aromatic.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Pop the tin into the preheated oven and bake for about 55 minutes. The cake will be well-risen, golden, and should smell heavenly when done. Test with a skewer if it comes out clean, you’re there.

Step 7: Cool Before Serving

Let the cake cool in the tin for at least 20 minutes. This helps it set up beautifully and makes removing it from the tin a breeze. Serve warm for the ultimate comfort, or at room temperature if you prefer.

If you see the pears starting to brown too quickly, tent the cake lightly with foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.

How to Serve

This cake is truly versatile. Serve wedges dusted with a little extra cinnamon, or paired with:

• A dollop of Greek yogurt or whipped cream for a simple dessert.
• Crème fraîche or mascarpone for a more indulgent finish.
• A drizzle of caramel sauce if you want to go all out.
• Warm cup of black tea, chai, or strong coffee for peak comfort factor.

It’s equally at home as a special brunch treat, an afternoon snack, or an elegant yet unfussy dessert for guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftovers in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making it even better the next day.

Freezing

To freeze, wrap slices individually or the whole (cooled) cake tightly in plastic and then foil. Store up to 2 months. Thaw, still wrapped, at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

If you love a slightly warm slice, a brief 10-15 seconds in the microwave brings back that just-baked charm and livens up the spices.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

There’s something incredibly comforting about the Spiced Pear Cake it’s rustic, aromatic, and downright satisfying, yet so simple to make you’ll wonder why you haven’t baked it sooner. Don’t hesitate to tailor the spices or fruit to suit your taste and pantry. Set aside just a few minutes and soon enough, your kitchen will be filled with the smell of spices and sweet pears an invitation no one can resist. Give this charming cake a try, and let it become your new go-to for cozy, feel-good baking.

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