Today we're talking about how to make a Caramelized Upside Down Pear Cake that is perfect for holiday desserts! With all the ripe pears we've received in our CSA box I knew I had to figure something out and this delicious caramelized pear upside-down cake was the best way to use them up! Scroll down for the ingredient list and tips on how to make this delicious cake recipe with fresh pears. Don't forget to print the recipe card to make this today!
Ingredients for the Caramelized Upside Down Pear Cake
I love this seasonal version of a pineapple upside-down cake in that we create a buttery brown sugar caramel that is poured along the bottom of a prepared cake pan before we layer with thinly sliced sasonal pears. A cake mix is prepared with a hint of spice that pairs beautifully with the fresh pears for a seasonal twist that can be enjoyed during the autumn and winter months. Here is what we'll need to make this cake:
- Fresh Pears: I used red pears in this recipe but you can use any pear variety you like. Anjou pears, Bartlett pears, and Bosc pears are delicious ones to use in this easy recipe. We'll slice them thin then layer them at the bottom of the pan after preparing a caramel sauce to help tenderize the pears during the bake.
- Unsalted Butter: In a small saucepan we're going to start browning the melted butter before adding in brown sugar to create a delicious sauce for the pears.
- Brown Sugar: Both our sweetener for the cake and for our caramel sauce.
- Flour: All-purpose flour is used in this recipe though if you want to substitute for a gluten-free flour you could. The Measure-for-Measure flour works well here.
- Warming Spices: I really love the combination of cinnamon, cardamom, ground cloves, and ground vanilla bean that add a delicious and spicy sweetness to this cake.
- Greek Yogurt: In lieu of buttermilk or milk I love using Greek yogurt as a means to create a tender cake. It's my favorite way to make sweet treats that also help add to a daily value of protein from the Greek yogurt.
- Eggs + Olive Oil: Our binding agents. Using good quality olive oil here in lieu of ⅔ cup butter means we're swapping out our cooking fats for a delicious alternative that compliments the fragrant nature of this spiced pear cake.
How to Make the Caramelized Upside Down Pear Cake
Making this delicious dessert recipe is easy to do and the warm spices make for a fragrant cake batter that will be perfect for this cake. Here's how we make it:
- First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Generously grease a 9-inch round cake pan with butter. Set aside while prepping the cake batter.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Lower heat and, stirring occasionally, allow the 3 tablespoons of the butter to foam a little before it subsides creating lightly browned flecks that form at the bottom of skillet; the butter should have a nutty aroma. Add in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Stir so the brown sugar dissolves to caramelize in to the brown butter for just under a minute. Remove from heat and gently pour into the greased bottom of the cake pan.
- Layer the thin pear slices on top of the brown butter caramel sauce. Set to the side briefly to prepare the cake batter.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, brown sugar, the ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, ground cloves, ground vanilla, and kosher salt.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk eggs, yogurt, and olive oil until well combined.
- Add wet ingredients to the flour mixture and gently fold the mixture together. Pour batter into the prepared pan to top the pears. Place the cake pan on a rimmed baking sheet then place in the preheated oven. Bake for 40-50 minutes until cake tester comes out clean in center and edges of cake are golden.
- Allow cake cool for about 10 to 15 minutes before turning out the cake onto a cake stand or plate. When ready, use a large plate or cake plate to place on top of the pan. If needed, use an oven mit to help lift the bottom of the cake pan with your other hand over the plate. Flip the cake then lift the sides of the pan to reveal the top of the cake with caramelized pears. If desired, garnish the cake with a dusting of powdered sugar. Serve with your favorite whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a deliciously simple dessert.
More Holiday Dessert Ideas to Love
There are plenty of delicious seasonal desserts to make and enjoy as well as gift to your near and dear! Here are a few I have enjoyed making and gifting this year:
- Small Batch Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins
- Easy One Bowl Pumpkin Bread
- Stone Fruit Crumble Bars are great if you are using frozen fruit
If you make this recipe, please let me know how it goes! You can share in the comments below or on social media! Tag me on Instagram or on my Facebook page.
Cheers to the next nourishing meal. 🧡
Caramelized Upside Down Pear Cake
Equipment
- 1 9-inch round cake pan
Ingredients
- 2 pears cored and thinly sliced
Brown Butter Caramel Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup brown sugar lightly packed
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Cake Batter
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 teaspoon ground vanilla
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅔ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup plain greek yogurt
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Generously grease a 9-inch round cake pan with butter. Set aside while prepping the cake batter.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Lower heat and, stirring occasionally, allow butter to foam a little before it subsides creating lightly browned flecks that form at the bottom of skillet; the butter should have a nutty aroma. Add in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Allow the brown sugar to caramelize in to the brown butter for just under a minute. Remove from heat and gently pour into the greased cake pan.
- Layer the thinly sliced pears on top of the brown butter caramel sauce. Set to the side briefly to prepare the cake batter.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, brown sugar, the ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, ground cloves, ground vanilla, and kosher salt.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk eggs, yogurt, and olive oil until well combined.
- Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and gently fold the mixture together. Pour batter into the prepared baking pan to top the pears. Bake for 40-50 minutes until cake tester comes out clean in center and edges of cake are golden.
- Cool for about 10 to 15 minutes before turning out the cake onto a cake stand or plate.
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