Description
A moist and flavorful cake featuring warm cinnamon spice and tender, sweet pears, perfect for a cozy treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (240g) All-Purpose Flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Cloves (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ½ cup (113g) Unsalted Butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) Granulated Sugar
- ½ cup (100g) Packed Light Brown Sugar
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup (240ml) Buttermilk
- 3 medium-sized Pears (Bosc or Anjou), peeled, cored, and diced
- **Optional Topping**:
- ¼ cup (50g) Granulated Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ½ cup (50g) Chopped Walnuts or Pecans
Instructions
- **Prepare Your Workspace**: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- **Combine Dry Ingredients**: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, optional ground cloves, and salt. Set this aside.
- **Cream Butter and Sugars**: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and packed light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- **Add Eggs and Vanilla**: Beat in the large eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- **Alternate Dry and Wet Ingredients**: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
- **Fold in Pears**: Gently fold in the diced pears until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- **Optional Topping (If Using)**: In a small bowl, combine the ¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and chopped walnuts or pecans. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the batter.
- **Bake**: Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- **Cool**: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before serving.
Notes
For best results, use room temperature ingredients. Don’t overmix the batter to ensure a tender cake. Choose firm but ripe pears for optimal texture. The cake freezes well for future enjoyment.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg