Upside-Down Pear Walnut Cake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Description: This upside-down pear walnut cake is a true showstopper, featuring a moist, spiced cake baked in a skillet, with juicy pears and crunchy walnuts baked to perfection in a brown sugar sauce. Inverting the cake onto a platter reveals a stunning caramelized topping, making it not only delicious but visually impressive. Whether served warm or at room temperature, it’s a perfect dessert for any occasion. The blend of flavors and textures is irresistible, with the nutty richness of walnuts complementing the soft, sweet pears and the subtle spices of cinnamon and ginger.
Recipe Category: Dessert
Keywords: Pears, Fruit, < 60 Mins, Oven
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Flour | 1 cup |
| Brown Sugar | 1/4 cup |
| Baking Powder | 1 tsp |
| Cinnamon | 1 tsp |
| Ground Ginger | 1/2 tsp |
| Baking Soda | 1/4 tsp |
| Salt | 1/4 tsp |
| Ground Cloves | 1/2 tsp |
| Buttermilk | 2/3 cup |
| Eggs | 2 large |
| Butter | 1/4 cup |
| Margarine | 1/4 cup |
| Molasses | 2 tbsp |
| Walnuts | 1/3 cup |
| Pears (peeled and sliced) | 2 medium |
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 298.7 kcal |
| Fat | 12.6 g |
| Saturated Fat | 6.2 g |
| Cholesterol | 76.4 mg |
| Sodium | 302.9 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 43.7 g |
| Fiber | 2.2 g |
| Sugars | 26.3 g |
| Protein | 4.5 g |
Instructions
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Preheat the Oven: Begin by setting your oven to 375°F (190°C), ensuring it is fully heated before baking your cake.
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Prepare the Skillet: Take a 9-inch cast-iron skillet and prepare it by greasing it lightly with butter to prevent the cake from sticking after baking.
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Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ground ginger, baking soda, salt, and ground cloves. These dry ingredients form the base of your cake batter, giving it both structure and flavor.
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Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the buttermilk, eggs, 1/4 cup butter, and molasses. Beat these ingredients together until smooth and fully combined.
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Incorporate Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry mixture. Stir gently until everything is well blended, but don’t overmix to maintain the cake’s light texture.
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Prepare the Caramelized Pear and Walnut Topping: In your preheated cast-iron skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted, stir in 1/3 cup of brown sugar, and cook the mixture for about 1 minute until it begins to bubble slightly.
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Layer the Pears and Walnuts: Remove the skillet from the heat, and immediately sprinkle the walnut pieces evenly over the brown sugar mixture. Arrange the pear slices in a neat, circular pattern on top of the walnuts. This creates a beautiful, caramelized layer that will become the top of your cake when inverted.
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Pour the Batter: Carefully pour the prepared batter over the pears and walnuts in the skillet, ensuring that it covers the fruit evenly.
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Bake: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake the cake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully cooked.
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Cool and Invert: Allow the cake to cool in the skillet for about 10 minutes on a wire rack. This step is crucial to allow the cake to set before inverting. After 10 minutes, carefully invert the skillet onto a serving plate. Tap gently to release the cake, revealing the beautifully caramelized pears and walnuts.
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Serve: The cake is best served warm, but it’s also delicious at room temperature. Slice it into wedges, and enjoy this stunning dessert that’s sure to impress family and guests alike.
This Upside-Down Pear Walnut Cake combines the rich flavors of cinnamon, ginger, and molasses, with the natural sweetness of pears and the crunch of walnuts. The use of a cast-iron skillet helps to create that perfect golden-brown caramelized top. Each bite is a delightful mix of flavors and textures, making it an irresistible dessert that can be made in under an hour. Whether for a special occasion or a simple weeknight treat, this cake is sure to become a favorite!
