Tuesday, November 16, 2010

{ GOLDEN PEAR CAKE :: BOTTOMS UP! }

For some people, cooking just comes naturally. Well, not for me. I'm kind of a work in progress. Let's just say that if it weren't for Trader Joe's I'd be having cereal and milk for dinner every night.

But while I'm not that fabulous of a cook, I simply LOVE to bake! And when I saw a pretty picture of a Golden Pear Cake in a magazine, I just knew I had to bake my very own.

I think it turned out just like the original picture, which I was really excited about! Anyway, I had so much fun making it and eating it with with friends that I thought I would share the recipe so you can make a pretty cake of your own. Enjoy!

1. Arrange sliced pears in concentric circles over melted butter and brown sugar.

2. Spoon batter over pears and spread evenly to edge of pan. Bake 40 minutes.

3. Insert wooden pick into center of cake to test for doneness. Cool cake 5 min.

4. Use two hands and pot holders to carefully invert cake onto serving platter. Top with whipping cream. Enjoy!

GOLDEN PEAR CAKE

3/4 cup butter, softened (divided)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
4-5 medium pears cored, peeled, and sliced 1/2-inch thick
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2/3 cup milk
Whipping Cream

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees F. Place 1/4 cup butter in 9-inch cast-iron or other oven-proof skillet. Melt butter in skillet over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar. Cook and stir until sugar is melted and bubbly; remove from heat. Set aside; cool. (Or, make brown sugar-butter mixture in saucepan; pour into 9-inch round cake pan, spreading evenly, and allow to cool.) Arrange pear slices in skillet or pan.

In small bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In large bowl beat remaining 1/2 cup butter with mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Beat in granulated sugar until combined. Beat in vanilla. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Alternately add flour mixture and milk to to butter mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined. (Batter may appear curdled.) Spread batter evenly over pears.

Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until pick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack 5 minutes. Loosen cake from pan; invert onto plate. Serve with whipping cream. Serves 8 to 10.

3 comments:

Kali said...

this looks simply delicious! I just made a pear dish similar last night. More of a pear cobbler though. I am going to have to try this one too. Thanks for sharing!:)

Kim Messick said...

Yum! I want some!

Alisha said...

YUM!! Look so good! And I'm with you sister - Cereal and Milk for dinner is FABULOUS!