Upside-Down Pear Cake 🍐🍰

Overview:

This Upside-Down Pear Cake recipe is a delightful fall dessert, perfect for when pears and maple sugar are in season and abundant. Originally featured in Bon Appetit magazine’s October 1986 edition, this adaptation swaps out granulated maple sugar for more accessible brown sugar and incorporates the rich flavor of pure maple syrup. With a prep time of just 30 minutes and a total time of 1 hour and 30 minutes, this recipe yields one 9-inch cake, making it an ideal treat for a cozy weeknight indulgence or a weekend gathering. Bursting with the warmth of cinnamon, the sweetness of ripe pears, and the richness of brown sugar, this cake is sure to become a favorite in your dessert repertoire. Let’s dive into the recipe!

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready when you need it.
2. Prepare pan: Grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch round cake pan with a depth of at least 3 inches. Sprinkle the bottom with brown or maple sugar, creating a sweet base for the cake.
3. Prepare topping: In a mixing bowl, cream together 5 tablespoons of butter (or margarine) with the brown and white sugar until well combined and creamy. Stir in the maple syrup and a pinch of salt.
4. Arrange pears: Spread the topping mixture evenly into the prepared cake pan. Press pear slices into the sugar mixture, arranging them in a spoke design for a visually appealing presentation. Set the pan aside while you prepare the cake batter.
5. Mix dry ingredients: In a separate medium-sized bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside this dry ingredient mixture for later use.
6. Prepare batter: In another bowl, cream together 6 tablespoons of butter (or margarine) with 1 cup of brown or maple sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, mix in the sour cream until the batter is smooth. Stir in the maple syrup.
7. Incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. If desired, gently fold in the walnuts for added texture and flavor.
8. Pour batter: Pour the prepared cake batter evenly over the pear slices in the cake pan, ensuring full coverage.
9. Bake: Place the cake pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The aroma of cinnamon and baked pears will fill your kitchen as the cake bakes to perfection.
10. Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes after removing it from the oven. This brief resting period helps the cake set before it’s inverted.
11. Invert the cake: Run a knife around the edge of the cake to loosen it from the pan, then carefully invert the cake onto a serving platter. Leave the pan on the cake for an additional 5 minutes to allow the caramelized sugar topping to settle before gently removing the pan.
12. Serve: Serve the Upside-Down Pear Cake warm, allowing the sweet aroma to tantalize your senses. Dust the top with powdered sugar for an elegant finish, and consider topping each slice with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of bourbon-infused whipped cream for an extra indulgent touch.
13. Enjoy: Gather your loved ones around the table and savor each delicious bite of this comforting dessert. Whether enjoyed on a crisp autumn evening or as a sweet ending to any meal, this Upside-Down Pear Cake is sure to delight with its irresistible blend of flavors and textures.

From its humble origins in a 1986 issue of Bon Appetit to your modern kitchen, this recipe has stood the test of time, earning rave reviews and becoming a beloved classic for generations. So, roll up your sleeves, preheat your oven, and let’s bake a slice of nostalgia with a contemporary twist. Happy baking! 🍁🍰