Best 14 Pear Upside Down Graham Cake Recipes

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Pear upside-down graham cake is a classic dessert that combines the flavors of sweet, juicy pears, a crispy graham cracker crust, and a moist, tender cake batter. This delicious treat is perfect for any occasion, from a special brunch to a family gathering. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.

Let's cook with our recipes!

PEAR UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE



Pear Upside-Down Cake image

Introduced in the 1930s, when cast-iron skillets were more commonly found in kitchens than baking pans, the upside-down, or skillet, cake has survived eras of modernization to remain a beloved dessert. Today, Martha puts a seasonal twist on this old-fashioned favorite, eschewing the classic pineapple for sweet and juicy Bartlett pears-large, bell-shaped fruits with smooth, yellow-green skin.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cake Recipes

Yield Makes 1 ten-and-a-half-inch cake

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
3 ripe pears, such as Bartlett or Anjou, peeled and cored
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs, separated
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

Steps:

  • Make the topping: Melt butter in the bottom of a 10 1/2-inch cast-iron skillet over low heat. Add brown sugar, stirring until dissolved. Swirl to coat the bottom; remove from heat, and cool. Cut pears into 1/4-inch-thick wedges, and arrange them in a circular pattern over the brown-sugar mixture to cover completely; set aside.
  • Make the batter: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla extract; beat to combine. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating to combine.
  • Alternating with the milk, gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, and mix, on low speed, just until the flour is incorporated.
  • In a large bowl, beat reserved egg whites and the cream of tartar with a hand mixer until stiff but not dry. Using a rubber spatula, fold egg whites into the batter. Transfer to skillet. Using an offset spatula, spread the batter evenly, being careful not to disturb the pears.
  • Bake until well browned on top and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Run a knife around inside of pan, and immediately invert the cake onto a serving dish. Serve warm or at room temperature.

PEAR UPSIDE-DOWN GRAHAM CAKE



Pear Upside-Down Graham Cake image

I had some freshly picked pears and graham flour to use up and I combined them into this not-too-sweet, whole grain cake. The graham flour adds really nice nutty, honeyed notes, but if you can't find it, you can use whole wheat flour.

Provided by LauraF

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Upside-Down Cake Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 17

3 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
¼ cup dark brown sugar
3 pears - peeled, cored, and sliced
1 ½ cups graham flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
½ cup packed dark brown sugar
¼ cup grapeseed oil
2 tablespoons honey
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup whole milk

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9-inch pan with 2-inch sides and line the bottom with a round of parchment paper.
  • Add butter pieces to the pan. Place in the preheating oven until melted. Sprinkle brown sugar on top. Arrange sliced pears in a circular pattern over the butter and brown sugar. Set aside.
  • Whisk graham flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, salt, and cinnamon together in a medium bowl.
  • Combine butter, brown sugar, oil, and honey in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add eggs and vanilla extract; beat for 1 minute. Add flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with milk; beat briefly after each addition.
  • Pour batter carefully over the pears. Smooth the top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool cake for 10 minutes. Invert onto a wire rack and peel off parchment paper. Allow to cool completely.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 431.7 calories, Carbohydrate 54.2 g, Cholesterol 93.3 mg, Fat 21.8 g, Fiber 4.4 g, Protein 7.3 g, SaturatedFat 9.9 g, Sodium 429.2 mg, Sugar 25.7 g

PEAR UPSIDE DOWN CAKE



Pear Upside Down Cake image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 1h40m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/2 cup blanched whole almonds
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus 9 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
3 pears, peeled, cored and halved
1 1/2 cups pastry flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sour cream
3 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and toast, shaking the pan occasionally, until lightly golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside to cool. Turn the oven temperature down to 325 degrees F.
  • Stir together the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves and corn syrup and evenly coat the bottom and sides of a 10 inch glass pie plate with the mixture. When the almonds are cool, arrange around the bottom rim of the pie plate, with a few in the center, pressing them into the brown sugar mixture. Arrange the pear halves like spokes of a wheel on top of the brown sugar mixture.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the pastry flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt and thoroughly mix.
  • In another bowl, whisk together the softened butter, sour cream, egg yolks and vanilla. Add to the dry ingredients and mix with an electric mixer at medium speed about 1 1/2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally, until thick and smooth.
  • Using a spatula, spread the batter evenly over the fruit, building up the outside edges so the cake will be level when baked. Bake 40 to 50 minutes, until golden brown and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer to a rack and cool 3 to 5 minutes (no longer) and then invert onto a serving plate, repositioning the fruit as necessary.

PEAR AND CRANBERRY UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE



Pear and Cranberry Upside-Down Cake image

Pear and cranberry upside-down cake. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Provided by Shanda

Time 1h50m

Yield 18

Number Of Ingredients 16

cooking spray
½ cup unsalted butter
4 cups white sugar, divided
5 medium pears - peeled, cored and sliced
½ (12 ounce) package fresh cranberries
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup vanilla soy milk
⅔ cup canola oil
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 cup chopped walnuts

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Cut a rectangle out of waxed paper to fit an 8x12-inch cake pan. Spray the pan with cooking spray, then place waxed paper liner over the bottom.
  • Melt butter in a large skillet. Add 2 cups sugar and cook until sugar has dissolved and mixture is bubbling, about 3 minutes. Add pear slices; reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes. Turn off heat and add cranberries.
  • Whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, cloves, and nutmeg together in a bowl.
  • Combine remaining 2 cups sugar, milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla in another bowl using a hand mixer until cake batter is smooth. Gradually mix in dry ingredients until well combined. Fold in walnuts.
  • Pour pear-cranberry mixture into the prepared cake pan. Use a spatula to spread cake batter evenly on top of fruit.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 70 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
  • Place a platter on top of the cake pan and carefully flip the pan and platter over, allowing the cake to settle on the platter. Lift cake pan off and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 466.1 calories, Carbohydrate 70.7 g, Cholesterol 54.9 mg, Fat 19.3 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 5.3 g, SaturatedFat 4.7 g, Sodium 258.6 mg, Sugar 50.3 g

FRESH PEAR UPSIDE DOWN CAKE



Fresh Pear Upside Down Cake image

This is a nice little cake. I have no idea where it came from. I clipped it from somewhere years ago.

Provided by Countrywife

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h

Yield 1 8inch cake

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 large fresh pear
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
2 eggs, seperated
1 cup warm light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon melted shortening
1 cup sifted flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup ready to eat natural bran
whipped cream (optional) or ice cream (optional)

Steps:

  • Combine butter and sugar in 8-inch cake pan.
  • Melt butter over low heat and spread evenly over bottom of pan.
  • Pare fruit and slice lengthwise.
  • Remove core and slice thinly lengthwise.
  • Arrange slices in a circle in pan and sprinkle with nutmeg.
  • Beat egg yolks well.
  • Add syrup and beat more.
  • Stir in vanilla and melted shortening.
  • Sift together and stir in flour, baking powder and salt.
  • Stir in bran.
  • Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry and fold into batter.
  • Spread over pears.
  • Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes.
  • Cool 10 minutes and turn out onto plate while still very warm.
  • Serve with whipped or ice cream (optional).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 2376.4, Fat 49.5, SaturatedFat 21.4, Cholesterol 484.1, Sodium 1747.2, Carbohydrate 486.2, Fiber 18.7, Sugar 188.7, Protein 30.5

UPSIDE-DOWN PEAR GINGERBREAD CAKE



Upside-Down Pear Gingerbread Cake image

The aroma of baking gingerbread stirs up such warm memories. This cake looks festive and is even on the lighter side. -Nancy Beckman, Helena, Montana

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 50m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 17

3 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 medium Bosc pears, peeled and thinly sliced
CAKE:
1/2 cup 2% milk
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 large egg, room temperature
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup molasses
1/4 cup butter, melted
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Whipped cream, optional

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; stir in brown sugar. Spread over bottom of a greased 9-in. round baking pan. Arrange pears over top., For cake, mix milk and vinegar; let stand 5 minutes. In a large bowl, beat egg, brown sugar, molasses, melted butter and milk mixture until well blended. In another bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, baking soda, ginger, salt and cloves; gradually beat into molasses mixture. Spoon carefully over pears., Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate. Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped cream, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 331 calories, Fat 11g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 51mg cholesterol, Sodium 348mg sodium, Carbohydrate 56g carbohydrate (37g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

CLASSIC PEAR UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE



Classic Pear Upside-Down Cake image

Pear adds a twist to the usual upside-down cake - a delicious dessert.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h35m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup butter
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 firm ripe pears, peeled, thinly sliced
Whipped cream, if desired

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, combine powdered sugar and 3/4 cup butter; beat at low speed until crumbly. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well at medium speed after each addition. Add vanilla; beat well. Add flour, cornmeal and baking powder; mix well.
  • Place 1/4 cup butter in 9-inch round cake pan. Heat in oven for about 4 minutes or until butter is melted. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over butter. Arrange pear slices over mixture in pan, slightly overlapping. Spoon and carefully spread cake batter over pears.
  • Bake at 350°F. for 55 to 65 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack for 5 minutes. Invert onto serving plate. Serve warm or cool with whipped cream.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 440, Carbohydrate 53 g, Cholesterol 115 mg, Fat 4 1/2, Fiber 1 g, Protein 4 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, ServingSize 1/12 of Recipe, Sodium 230 mg, Sugar 40 g

GINGER-PEAR UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE



Ginger-Pear Upside-Down Cake image

Delicious, slightly caramelized dessert.

Provided by Allan Rutherford

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Upside-Down Cake Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 13

⅓ cup butter
¼ cup molasses
¼ cup brown sugar
¾ teaspoon ground ginger
20 ounces canned pear halves, drained
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
⅔ cup milk
⅓ cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Place 1/3 cup butter in a 9-inch square pan and set in the preheating oven to melt, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir molasses, brown sugar, and ginger into the melted butter. Arrange pears cut-side down over mixture.
  • Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. Add milk, 1/3 cup butter, and vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth, about 2 minutes. Beat in egg until combined, about 2 minutes. Pour batter over pears.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
  • Run a knife around the edge of the pan; place a plate on top of the cake and flip carefully.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 430.9 calories, Carbohydrate 68 g, Cholesterol 65.5 mg, Fat 16.7 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 4.3 g, SaturatedFat 10.2 g, Sodium 402.4 mg, Sugar 45.4 g

PEAR AND GINGER UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE



Pear and Ginger Upside-Down Cake image

This cake is a nice change from the usual pumpkin pie or plain gingerbread. It is also an attractive dessert to bring to a family dinner or any get-together, really. I found this recipe online, and it said it was originally taken from Sunset magazine. Update: After storing leftovers in the fridge, the cake texture becomes really dense. I am not sure if it NEEDS to be stored in the fridge, but this cake is best eaten on the day it is made (in our [my husband's and my] opinion).

Provided by Greeny4444

Categories     Dessert

Time 55m

Yield 10-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
3 tablespoons crystallized ginger, chopped
1 lb pear (2 pears, Bosc type are recommended)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon allspice
2 large eggs
3/4 cup molasses
1 1/4 cups buttermilk

Steps:

  • First, prepare the pan. Lightly spray a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray, Line the pan with a 10-inch round of cooking parchment, pressing into the bottom and about 1/2 inch up the sides.
  • Cut 2 tablespoons of butter into about 1/4-inch chunks and drop evenly over the parchment in the pan bottom. Sprinkle evenly with 1/2 cup brown sugar and the crystallized ginger.
  • Peel the pears and cut in half, lengthwise. Then, slicing perpendicular to the cut edge, cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. With a paring knife, cut the core from each slice. Arrange the slices flat, in a single layer, over the sugar mixture in the pan, trimming pieces as needed to fit.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, salt, and allspice.
  • In another bowl, with an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the remaining 1/2 cup butter and 1 cup brown sugar until well blended.
  • Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Reduce speed to medium-low and beat in molasses.
  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately, beating until incorporated, then beat on high speed just until well blended. Pour batter over pears.
  • Bake at 325 degrees F until a toothpick inserted in the center (but not in the fruit) comes out clean, about 1 hour and 35 to 40 minutes (cake center may settle slightly).
  • Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 20 minutes.
  • Remove the pan sides. Place a platter over the cake, then, holding the two together, turn both over, so the cake is right-side up. Carefully remove pan bottom and parchment. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 468.7, Fat 13.2, SaturatedFat 7.8, Cholesterol 74, Sodium 466.1, Carbohydrate 84.1, Fiber 2.4, Sugar 51.9, Protein 5.8

PEAR UPSIDE-DOWN GINGERBREAD CAKE



Pear Upside-Down Gingerbread Cake image

I found this recipe in a magazine several years ago and finally made it last month. It is a very pretty gingerbread cake that tastes delicious.

Provided by Kathy

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h20m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 lb pear
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled, grated, divided
1 tablespoon lemon juice
cooking spray
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 large egg
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/4 cup molasses
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon clove
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon powdered sugar
mint leaf (optional)
raspberries (optional)

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350 F Peel, core, and slice pears lengthwise into 1/4" slices.
  • Combine 1 Tbls ginger, lemon juice, and pear slices.
  • Coat a 9" x 2" round cake pan with cooking spray; sprinkle with granulated sugar.
  • Arrange pears in bottom of pan in a circular pattern.
  • Combine brown sugar and butter in a large mixer bowl; beat at medium speed until well blended.
  • Beat in egg.
  • Add buttermilk, molasses, and 1 Tbls ginger; beat until well blended.
  • Combine flour and remaining ingredients EXCEPT powdered sugar.
  • Add flour mixture to batter; stir until well blended.
  • Pour over pears.
  • Bake 40 minutes or until cake springs back when touched lightly in center.
  • Cool in pan 20 minutes on wire rack.
  • Sprinkle a serving plate with powdered sugar.
  • Invert cake onto serving plate.
  • When completely cool, garnish with mint leaves and raspberries.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 254.8, Fat 6.8, SaturatedFat 4, Cholesterol 39.1, Sodium 314.7, Carbohydrate 46.9, Fiber 2.4, Sugar 29.1, Protein 3.3

PERFECT PEAR UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE



Perfect Pear Upside-Down Cake image

Serve this cake either warm or at room temperature. Using walnut oil, which contains omega-3 fatty acids, helps cut down on butter and gives the cake a rich flavor.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Cake Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter
3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
3 Bosc pears, peeled, halved, cored, and cut into 18 wedges
1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1 cup whole-wheat flour, spooned and leveled
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup reduced-fat buttermilk
1/4 cup walnut oil
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter with 1/4 cup sugar in a 12-inch cast-iron or large skillet over medium. Arrange pears in a circular fashion, around the edge of the pan. Cook, without turning pears, until pears are golden underneath, 18 to 20 minutes (rotating pan as necessary for even browning).
  • In a large bowl, combine flours, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt; whisk to combine. In a medium bowl, combine remaining sugar, eggs, buttermilk, applesauce, oil, and vanilla; whisk to combine. Add wet mixture to dry mixture and whisk until just combined.
  • Pour batter over pears; spread to cover. Transfer to the oven; bake until a toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Allow to stand for 5 minutes. Run a knife around the edge and turn out onto a serving platter.

PEAR AND GINGER UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE



Pear and Ginger Upside-Down Cake image

Categories     Cake     Dairy     Ginger     Dessert     Bake     Pear     Bon Appétit

Yield Serves 8

Number Of Ingredients 18

Nonstick vegetable oil spray
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1 tablespoon plus 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/8 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup milk (do not use low-fat or nonfat)
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup mild-flavored (light) molasses
3 firm but ripe Bosc pears, peeled, cored, thinly sliced
Whipped cream

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 9-inch-diameter cake pan with 2-inch-high sides with nonstick vegetable oil spray. Sift flour and next 8 ingredients into medium bowl. Combine milk and vanilla in glass measuring cup. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl until lightly and fluffy. Add egg and beat until will blended. Add molasses and beat will. Mix in dry ingredients alternately with milk mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Arrange pears in bottom of prepared pan. Pour batter over.
  • Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Transfer pan to rack and cool 10 minutes. Using small knife, cut around sides of pan to loosen cake. Turn cake out into rack and cool slightly. (Cake can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and store at room temperature.)
  • Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped cream.

UPSIDE-DOWN PEAR CAKE



Upside-Down Pear Cake image

Delicious fall desert when pears and maple sugar are abundant. The original recipes (printed in Bon Appetit, October 1986) calls for granulated maple sugar, but I use brown sugar which is more readily available, and pure maple syrup.

Provided by ellie_

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h30m

Yield 1 9inch cake, 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 20

butter or margarine, for greasing pan
brown sugar or maple sugar
5 tablespoons butter or 5 tablespoons margarine, room temperature
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon maple syrup
4 pears, peeled, cored and cut lengthwise into 6 pieces
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup brown sugar or 1 cup maple sugar
6 tablespoons butter or 6 tablespoons margarine, room temp
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/3 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
2 tablespoons Bourbon (optional)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Grease bottom and sides of 9-inch (3" high) round cake pan.
  • Sprinkle with brown or maple sugar.
  • Cream 5 tablespoons butter (or margarine) with brown and white sugar.
  • Add maple syrup and salt.
  • Spread topping mixture into prepared pan.
  • Press pear slices into sugar mixture, arranging them in a spoke design.
  • Set aside while preparing cake batter.
  • Sift together dry ingredients (flour-cinnamon). Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, cream 6 tablespoons and 1 cup brown or maple sugar together until light.
  • Add eggs, one at a time, beating well.
  • Add sour cream, beating until smooth.
  • Mix in maple syrup.
  • Fold in flour mixture and then walnuts, if using.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan (over pears).
  • Bake for 50-60 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
  • Cool 10 minutes.
  • Run knife around cake and invert cake onto platter, leave pan on cake an additional 5 minutes before removing pan very carefully.
  • Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream topping (recipe follows).
  • To make whipped cream topping: Beat cream until soft peaks form.
  • Add sugar and bourbon, if using.
  • Continue beating until soft peaks form again.

PEAR UPSIDE-DOWN GINGERBREAD CAKE



Pear Upside-Down Gingerbread Cake image

This gingerbread-based cake is both festive and homey thanks to the additions of pear and its upside-down make.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cake Recipes

Yield Makes one 9-inch-square cake

Number Of Ingredients 17

10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan.
5 large ripe Bartlett pears, peeled, cored, and quartered
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons brandy
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup packed dark-brown sugar
3 large eggs
1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons boiling water

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch-square cake pan; set aside. In a large bowl, toss pears with lemon juice. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons granulated sugar. Add half the pears, cut sides down, in single layer; cook until brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn pears over; cook other sides until brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer cooked pears to a plate. Cook remaining pears; transfer to plate. To pear juices in skillet, add brandy, and sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons granulated sugar. Cook, stirring, until reduced to syrup, about 1 minute. Pour into cake pan; swirl to spread. Starting in one corner of pan, fan out pears in single layer; arrange so the tapered sides lie in same direction. Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt; set aside. In bowl of an electric mixer, beat remaining 8 tablespoons butter until fluffy. Add brown sugar; beat on medium-high speed for 3 minutes. Add eggs; beat to combine. Beat in molasses and grated ginger.
  • Add half of flour mixture; combine on low speed. In a small bowl, combine baking soda and boiling water; beat into batter. Beat in remaining flour mixture until combined. Pour into pan; bake 25 minutes. Reduce heat to 325 degrees. bake until springy to the touch, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Run a knife between pan and cake. Invert cake onto a serving plate. Arrange pears as needed, and serve.

Tips:

  • Make sure your pears are ripe but still firm. This will help them hold their shape when you bake them.
  • If you don't have a 9-inch springform pan, you can use a 9-inch round baking pan. Just be sure to grease and flour the pan before adding the batter.
  • Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing can make the cake tough.
  • Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Let the cake cool completely before inverting it onto a serving plate.

Conclusion:

This pear upside-down graham cake is a delicious and easy-to-make dessert that is perfect for any occasion. The cake is moist and flavorful, and the pears are perfectly caramelized. The graham cracker crust adds a nice crunch to the cake. This cake is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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