Are you craving a comforting, yet elegant dessert that's surprisingly simple to make? Look no further than this fresh pear cake recipe! This moist and flavorful cake is perfect for a cozy evening at home, a weekend brunch, or even a special occasion. It's one of those easy recipes that always impresses, proving that delicious dishes don't need to be complicated. This recipe is perfect for anyone looking for quick dinner ideas and healthy meals that are also satisfyingly sweet.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 3 medium ripe pears, peeled, cored, and sliced
For the Crumble Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions:
Getting Started: Preheat & Prep
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. This ensures your cake releases easily and prevents sticking.
Making the Cake Batter:
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This dry ingredient mix is the foundation of our lovely cake.
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In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. An electric mixer makes this step a breeze!
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Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; don't overmix. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.
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Gently fold in the sliced pears.
Assembling & Baking:
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Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
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In a separate bowl, combine the crumble topping ingredients using your fingers or a pastry blender to cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
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Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the pear batter.
Baking & Cooling:
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Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for the Best Pear Cake:
- Use ripe but firm pears for the best texture and flavor. Overripe pears can make the cake too mushy.
- Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough cake.
- If you don't have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
- Feel free to experiment with different types of nuts in the crumble topping, such as almonds or hazelnuts.
- A light dusting of powdered sugar adds a beautiful finishing touch.
Variations:
- Spice it up: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to the batter for a warm, autumnal flavor.
- Citrus zest: Incorporate the zest of one lemon or orange into the batter for a bright, refreshing twist.
- Apple pear combo: Combine pears with apples for a delicious fruit medley.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 300-350
- Fat: 15-20g
- Saturated Fat: 8-12g
- Carbohydrates: 40-45g
- Sugar: 25-30g
- Protein: 4-5g
This fresh pear cake recipe is a wonderful example of how easy it is to create delicious and impressive homemade cooking. Enjoy this delightful treat!