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spiced pear upside-down cake

(2 ratings)
kitchenChatter avatar
Recipe by
Pat Duran
@kitchenChatter
Las Vegas, NV

My friend and neighbor Laurie gave me this recipe from her Aunt Lucille, who lives in Texas, it is a clipping from a magazine. I don't think it is from a cookbook -it is hard to tell as it looks like it used to be shinier paper. This is such an easy recipe that I thought you might like to try it too!

(2 ratings)
yield serving(s)
prep time 20 Min
cook time 1 Hr 15 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For spiced pear upside-down cake

  • SUGAR SAUCE:
  • 5 Tbsp
    unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2/3 c
    light brown sugar,packed firmly
  • 2 Tbsp
    pure maple syrup
  • PEAR PREP:
  • 1 Tbsp
    granulated sugar
  • 2 lg
    ripe bartlett or anjou pears, peeled, cut in 1/2 and cored
  • 1 tsp
    each of ground cinnamon and of ground cardamom
  • 1/4 tsp
    ground cloves or less
  • garnish:
    maraschino cherry halves
  • CAKE:
  • 3/4 c
    granulated sugar
  • 1/2 c
    butter
  • 1 1/2 c
    all purpose flour
  • 2 tsp
    baking powder
  • 1 tsp
    salt
  • 3/4 c
    milk
  • 2 tsp
    vanilla extract
  • 2 lg
    eggs at room temperature

How To Make spiced pear upside-down cake

  • 1
    Preheat oven to 350^. spray a 9-inch round cake pan and then cut circle of parchment or waxed paper for bottom and butter it and the insides of the pan; set aside.
  • 2
    SUGAR SAUCE: In a bowl, using a wooden spoon, beat together the ingredients until thoroughly blended. Spread this mixture over the bottom of the prepared cake pan.
  • Fruit and sauce in and ready for the batter.
    3
    PEAR PREP: Cut the pear slices into 1/4 inch slices and place in a bowl. Sprinkle with the sugar and spices; stir gently to coat evenly. Arrange the pears in the bottom or the pan; fanning them in spiral fashion , so that the tapered ends point outward; use the small slices to fill any spaces. From another pear you can cut a piece from the center to make a circle. Place cherry halves in between pears and into the center.
  • 4
    CAKE: Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.Set aside. Pour the milk and vanilla into measuring cup. set aside. --- In the large bowl of your electric mixer , beat the butter and sugar on medium-high , until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, scrape bowl sides after each addition. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture in 3 addition , alternating with the milk mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat 2 minutes.
  • Batter in pan ready for the oven. Used my up-side down cake pan.
    5
    Pour the batter into the cake pan and spread evenly over the pears. Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean , about 60-70 minutes.
  • 6
    Immediately place a plate larger than the pan, upside down on top of the cake. Carefully invert the cake with the plate, then carefully lift off the pan;gently shaking the pan if necessary to release the cake. Carefully remove the paper. Scrape any goo onto the cake. Let cool for 30 minutes.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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