Pear Upside Down Cake Recipe
Pear Upside Down Cake is one of those nostalgic desserts that captures the comforting essence of home baking, but with an elegant twist thanks to ripe, juicy pears nestled in a golden, spiced caramel layer. The soft, tender crumb of the cake wraps around the sweet fruit, while warm notes of cinnamon and cardamom drift through each bite. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to treat yourself on an ordinary afternoon, this Pear Upside Down Cake brings the perfect balance of simplicity and wow-factor. Trust me, you’ll want to make this delightful cake again and again!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Pear Upside Down Cake lies in its straightforward, yet essential ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role—adding depth, creating the perfect balance of sweetness and spice, and ensuring a moist, tender crumb you’ll love.
- Pears: Use ripe but firm pears for the best texture; their natural sweetness shines after baking.
- Light brown sugar: This deepens the caramel flavor and gives that irresistible golden hue to the top.
- Cinnamon: A touch in both the topping and cake batter ties every bite together with warmth.
- Unsalted butter: Butter enriches the cake and makes the caramel luscious—don’t skimp!
- Lemon juice: Just a splash brightens and balances the sweetness of the pears and sugar.
- Cake flour: This ensures a fine, tender crumb that works beautifully with the syrupy topping.
- Baking powder & baking soda: Both provide lift, so the cake surrounds the pears with a perfect cloud of fluffiness.
- Cloves and cardamom: These two spices bring depth and intriguing complexity—trust me; your kitchen will smell incredible!
- Kosher salt: Just enough to make the cake sing and enhance every other flavor.
- Eggs: They bind the batter, adding richness and height to the cake layer.
- Vanilla: A dash is essential for melding all those cozy flavors.
- Buttermilk: Adds gentle tanginess and guarantees a super moist crumb.
- Nonstick cooking spray & parchment paper: Not ingredients per se, but absolute heroes for ensuring your beautiful cake releases perfectly.
How to Make Pear Upside Down Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Pears
Start by peeling your pears, then slicing them lengthwise into quarters. Carefully remove the cores, then thinly slice each quarter crosswise—about 1/4 inch thick. This shape lets you fan them out in the pan for a stunning pattern (or keep it casual and scatter them for a rustic look). Set them aside for now.
Step 2: Make the Caramel Topping
Spray a 9-inch round cake pan with nonstick spray and line the bottom with a circle of parchment paper. Preheat your oven to 325°F with convection, or 350°F if you’re using a conventional oven. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, then add the lemon juice, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Stir steadily as it bubbles and transforms into a deep amber caramel—the color of autumn leaves. Pour this deliciousness into your prepared cake pan and tilt the pan gently to spread it out evenly.
Step 3: Arrange the Pear Slices
Now comes the fun part! Place your prepared pear slices on top of the caramel. Fan them artfully in circles for a show-stopping effect, or simply scatter them if you prefer a more laid-back presentation. However you arrange them, you can’t go wrong—the flavor will be amazing either way.
Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, sift together your cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. This step helps everything blend evenly and ensures your Pear Upside Down Cake bakes up with a dreamy, tender crumb.
Step 5: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the softened butter and packed brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Take your time—this process helps create airiness in your cake. Add the eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides after each. Don’t forget to add the vanilla with the last egg.
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry, Add Buttermilk
Reduce the mixer speed to low. Alternately add your flour mixture and the buttermilk, starting and ending with the flour, mixing just until combined. This keeps your cake batter delicate, so it won’t get tough.
Step 7: Assemble and Bake
Pour the batter over your pears and caramel in the pan, spreading it gently and evenly with an offset spatula. Slide it into the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The Pear Upside Down Cake is ready when it’s puffed, beautifully golden, and a cake tester comes out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it.
Step 8: Cool and Invert
While it’s still warm, run a butter knife or offset spatula around the edge of the pan to loosen the cake. After 15 minutes, carefully flip the cake onto a rimmed baking sheet or wire rack—just be ready for a little caramel drip! Let it cool before slicing, though I know the anticipation is hard to resist.
How to Serve Pear Upside Down Cake
Garnishes
This cake begs for a beautiful finishing touch. Dust the top lightly with powdered sugar for classic charm, or add a dollop of softly whipped cream or crème fraîche. A sprinkle of toasted, chopped walnuts or pecans brings a lovely crunch that complements the caramelized pears perfectly.
Side Dishes
Pair your slice of Pear Upside Down Cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a side of Greek yogurt for creamy contrast. For brunch or afternoon tea, serve with a pot of strong black tea or piping hot coffee to balance the dessert’s richness.
Creative Ways to Present
Try baking your Pear Upside Down Cake in mini ramekins for individual servings—so cute for dinner parties! Or, slice it into elegant wedges and serve topped with poached pears or fresh berries. You can even make it the centerpiece of a rustic dessert board, surrounded by nuts, dried fruit, and shards of good chocolate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover Pear Upside Down Cake keeps beautifully for up to 2 days, covered and at room temperature. The caramel may soak in a bit more, making each slice extra moist and flavorful—which, honestly, might be even better the next day!
Freezing
This cake freezes surprisingly well. Cool the fully baked cake completely, then wrap slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap followed by foil. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
To reheat, warm individual slices in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds, or set the whole cake (covered loosely with foil) in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes. The caramel will soften slightly again, making the Pear Upside Down Cake just as irresistible as when it first came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use apples instead of pears?
Absolutely! Firm, tart apples like Granny Smith work well. Just follow the same steps—apples will give you a slightly different flavor, but the result is still scrumptious.
My caramel stuck to the pan. What did I do wrong?
Make sure to generously grease your pan with spray and line it with parchment. If some caramel does cling, simply scrape it out and patch it back onto the cake—it’ll still taste amazing!
Do I have to use cake flour?
Cake flour ensures the lightest crumb, but, in a pinch, you can use all-purpose flour. For best results, remove 4 tablespoons from every cup of all-purpose flour and replace with cornstarch, then sift together well.
Can I make Pear Upside Down Cake ahead of time?
Yes! This cake can be made a day ahead. Let it cool completely, then cover tightly until you’re ready to serve. The flavors actually deepen overnight.
What kind of pears are best for this recipe?
Look for ripe but firm varieties like Bosc, Anjou, or Bartlett. Overly soft pears can become mushy after baking, while firmer ones hold their shape and create those beautiful layers.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about flipping out a Pear Upside Down Cake and seeing those glossy, caramelized pears shining up at you. Whether you’re sharing with friends or sneaking a second slice late at night, I hope you’ll fall in love with this recipe as much as I have. Give it a try, and let the sweet aromas and flavors brighten any occasion!
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Pear Upside Down Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 1 9-inch cake 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful and flavorful Pear Upside Down Cake that combines the sweetness of caramelized pears with a moist, spiced cake. Perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients
Pears:
- 3 pears, peeled, cored, and sliced
Topping:
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Cake Batter:
- 2 cups cake flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon cloves
- ¾ teaspoon cardamom
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 9 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 ¼ cups light brown sugar, packed
- 2 eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
Instructions
- Prepare pears: Peel, core, and slice pears. Set aside.
- Make the Topping: Melt butter in a saucepan, add lemon juice, cinnamon, and brown sugar, cook until caramelized. Pour into prepared pan.
- Arrange pears: Place pear slices on top of caramel in pan.
- Make the cake: Combine dry ingredients, cream butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla, mix in flour mixture and buttermilk. Pour batter over pears.
- Bake: Bake at 325°F convection or 350°F conventional for 35-40 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Release and flip: Run a knife around the edges, invert the cake onto a rack to cool.
Notes
- You can serve this cake warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Feel free to adjust the spices in the cake batter to suit your preferences.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Pear Upside Down Cake, Dessert, Pears, Cake Recipe, Caramelized Pears
