Pear Cake Recipe
This moist and flavorful Pear Cake features tender chunks of pears folded into a lightly spiced batter and topped with thinly sliced fresh pears sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. Baked to golden perfection, this cake offers a delightful balance of fruity sweetness and comforting spices, making it an ideal treat for any occasion. The use of unsweetened soy milk and vegetable oil provides a moist texture without overpowering the natural pear flavor.
- Author: Hannah
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened soy milk
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¼ cup vegetable oil (canola or sunflower oil)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (optional)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 pound pears (about 450 grams), peeled or unpeeled as preferred
For the Top
- 3 small pears
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a springform pan or regular cake pan with parchment paper on both the sides and bottom to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the unsweetened soy milk, sugar, vegetable oil, and optional vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Sift the all-purpose flour and baking powder into the wet mixture. Whisk gently until just combined, ensuring there are no lumps but taking care not to overmix to keep the cake tender.
- Add Pear Chunks: Core and cut 1 pound (about 450 grams) of pears into small chunks, leaving the peel on for texture and color. Fold these pear pieces carefully into the batter using a spatula.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Transfer the batter evenly into the prepared springform pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Prepare Topping: Core 3 small pears and slice them thinly. Arrange the pear slices on top of the batter in a decorative fan-like pattern covering the entire surface.
- Add Cinnamon Sugar: Mix 1 teaspoon cinnamon with 2 tablespoons sugar, then sprinkle this mixture evenly over the arranged pear slices to add a warm spicy-sweet crust.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: After baking, gently release and open the springform pan. Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing. Serve as is or with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream for an indulgent treat.
Notes
- You can peel the pears if you prefer a smoother texture, but keeping the peel adds fiber and color.
- Use ripe but firm pears to prevent them from turning to mush in the batter.
- This cake pairs wonderfully with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend.
- Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
Keywords: pear cake, baked pear dessert, fruit cake, cinnamon sugar topping, easy fruit cake, autumn desserts