Easy Spiced Almond Pear Cake: Your New Favorite Fall Dessert
Prepare to fall in love with this remarkably easy pear cake, where every bite is a celebration of autumn flavors and delightful textures. The secret to its exquisite moistness and rich taste lies in the generous use of almond flour. Each slice is beautifully studded with tender, chopped Bosc pears and warmly infused with a harmonious blend of cinnamon, clove, and ginger. This seasonal cake isn’t just a dessert; it’s an experience, destined to become a cherished staple in your holiday baking repertoire and a year-round favorite!
Over time, I’ve developed a profound appreciation for the elegance and simplicity of one-layer cakes. There’s something inherently charming about them – they eschew the fuss of elaborate stacking and frosting, yet deliver a sophisticated presence that quick breads or sheet cakes often lack.
This Spiced Almond Pear Cake perfectly embodies that philosophy. It’s a recent, delightful addition to my collection of simple yet stunning bakes. This cake is delightfully unfussy, incredibly straightforward to prepare, and ultimately as crave-worthy as any multi-tiered celebration cake you could imagine. Its crumb is wonderfully moist and tender, a testament to its ingredients, and it bursts with vibrant almond flavor and generous chunks of fresh pear in every single mouthful. It’s the kind of cake that makes a statement without demanding hours in the kitchen.
Fans of my popular Blueberry Almond Cake and the festive Cranberry Christmas Cake will find a familiar comfort and similar delightful texture in this pear rendition. It shares the same philosophy of using high-quality ingredients to achieve a superior, satisfying result with minimal effort.
Spiced Almond Pear Cake: The Essential Ingredient Breakdown
In my humble opinion, pears are often overlooked and don’t receive the attention they truly deserve in the world of baked goods. This is particularly true during the autumn and winter months, a season when apples and pumpkins tend to monopolize the culinary spotlight. While apple pies and pumpkin lattes are undeniably delicious, pears offer a delicate sweetness and unique texture that can elevate any dessert.
Last year, I shared a recipe for a more intricate Pear Frangipane Tart, a classic French dessert that is always a hit. However, I’ve been eager to create a simpler pear dessert – something equally delicious but much quicker to prepare, requiring minimal fuss and effort. And that’s exactly what this Spiced Almond Pear Cake delivers!
To achieve this effortless elegance, I’ve proudly partnered with my long-time friends at Bob’s Red Mill. This easy pear cake benefits immensely from two of my absolute favorite baking staples from their product line: Bob’s Red Mill Organic Unbleached All-Purpose Flour and their exceptional Bob’s Red Mill Super Fine Almond Flour. Their commitment to quality shines through in every bake.
Bob’s Red Mill Super Fine Almond Flour is a truly exceptional ingredient. It’s crafted from premium, California-grown blanched almonds, meticulously ground to a very fine texture. This ultra-fine consistency is key to its baking performance.
When incorporated into batters, this almond flour blends seamlessly, contributing a delicate, nutty undertone and ensuring a wonderfully moist and tender crumb. This characteristic is particularly delightful in our pear cake, where it complements and enhances the soft, sweet chunks of chopped pear. The combination creates a textural and flavor harmony that is simply irresistible.
Beyond the almond and pear, the soul of this cake lies in its thoughtful spice blend. Ground cinnamon, cloves, and ginger are expertly combined to impart a subtle yet profoundly aromatic spiced flavor. These warm spices are quintessentially autumnal, enveloping the cake in an inviting aroma that perfectly aligns with the cozy ambiance of the season. They elevate the natural sweetness of the pears and the nuttiness of the almond, creating a truly balanced and comforting profile.
Selecting the Perfect Pears for Baking
This recipe specifically calls for Bosc pears, and for good reason. Bosc pears are widely available and possess a firm, crisp texture that holds up exceptionally well during the baking process. You’ll need two medium Bosc pears to achieve the perfect balance of fruit in this recipe.
It is absolutely crucial to use firm, just barely ripe pears for this cake. Pears that are slightly under-ripe will maintain their shape and distinct texture when baked, providing lovely, tender pockets of fruit throughout the cake. Conversely, if you use overripe pears, they tend to break down and become mushy during baking, which can compromise the cake’s overall texture. A good test for ripeness is that they should be firm to the touch, not soft or yielding. If Bosc pears are unavailable in your area, Comice or Anjou pears make excellent substitutes, offering similar firm textures suitable for baking.
This recipe is designed to yield a single, perfect 8-inch cake layer. For optimal results, you’ll need an 8-inch round cake pan with 2-inch deep sides. To ensure your beautiful cake releases cleanly and effortlessly after baking, always remember to generously grease the pan and then line the bottom with a round of parchment paper. This simple step is a baker’s best friend!
The batter for this pear cake utilizes the classic creaming method. This technique involves beating softened butter and sugar together until they are light and fluffy, incorporating air that contributes to the cake’s tender texture. For the best results, use a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. If a stand mixer isn’t available, a good quality hand mixer will also do the trick, though it might require a bit more arm work!
How to Master Your Spiced Almond Pear Cake: Step-by-Step
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, meticulously whisk together the Bob’s Red Mill Organic Unbleached All-Purpose Flour, Bob’s Red Mill Super Fine Almond Flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground ginger, and kosher salt. Whisk thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed, preventing pockets of leavening or spice. Set this mixture aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), combine the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar. Beat on medium-high speed for a full 4 minutes. This step is crucial for incorporating air into the mixture; the butter and sugar should transform into a pale, light, and notably fluffy consistency.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Reduce the mixer speed to medium. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything mixes evenly. Next, add the pure almond extract and pure vanilla extract, beating for an additional 30 seconds to fully blend their fragrant notes into the batter.
- Combine Wet and Dry: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the whisked flour mixture in two additions, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the flour mixture. Mix only until just combined – overmixing can lead to a tough cake. Once combined, remove the bowl from the stand mixer. Gently fold in the diced Bosc pears using a spatula. Be careful not to mash the pears; you want them to remain in distinct pieces. The batter will appear quite thick, which is exactly as it should be to support the pears.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Transfer the thick batter to your prepared 8-inch cake pan, spreading it evenly with an offset spatula. Bake in a preheated oven (refer to the recipe card for temperature) for 55 to 65 minutes, or until the cake achieves a beautiful deep golden-brown color and a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This indicates it’s fully cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in its pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. This brief cooling period helps the cake firm up before removal. After 10 minutes, carefully invert the cake onto the wire rack, remove the pan, and peel off the parchment paper. Let the cake cool completely on the wire rack. While it’s fantastic slightly warm, cooling fully allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Before serving, a light dusting of confectioner’s sugar is a simple yet elegant garnish.
Baking Note for Success: You’ll observe that this pear cake batter is notably thicker than many other cake batters. This isn’t a mistake; it’s a deliberate design choice! The thicker consistency is essential for preventing the diced pear chunks from sinking to the bottom of the pan during baking. This ensures a beautifully even distribution of fruit throughout the cake and helps maintain its structure, preventing it from sinking in the center. Because of this denser batter, you’ll need to allocate approximately an hour for baking, so be patient and trust the process!
WHY YOU’LL ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS SPICED ALMOND PEAR CAKE:
- Effortless Elegance: This cake boasts a simple one-layer design, making preparation incredibly easy. It skips the complexity of multi-layered cakes while still offering an elegant presentation with minimal garnishes. Perfect for when you want something special without the fuss.
- Irresistibly Moist and Tender: Thanks to the inclusion of almond flour and ripe, yet firm, Bosc pear pieces, this cake features an incredibly moist and tender crumb throughout. Each bite delivers a delightful texture contrast between the soft cake and the tender fruit.
- Aromatic Seasonal Spices: Infused with the comforting blend of ground cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, this cake is wonderfully fragrant and lightly spiced. The aroma alone will fill your home with the warm, inviting scents of autumn, creating an immediate sense of coziness.
- Rich Almond Flavor: If you are a fan of almonds, this cake is for you! Both almond flour and pure almond extract contribute a deep, authentic almond flavor that is prominent yet perfectly balanced with the pears and spices. It’s a true almond lover’s dream.
How to Serve This Versatile Pear Cake
One of the many qualities I adore about this Spiced Almond Pear Cake is its inherent perfection. It genuinely tastes fantastic on its own, requiring no additional embellishment to shine. Its balanced flavors and delightful texture are a complete experience in themselves.
This cake truly excels as a companion to your favorite warm beverages. Imagine a crisp autumn afternoon, a steaming cup of tea or coffee, and a slice of this fragrant pear cake – it’s a match made in heaven, especially around the holidays. Its gentle sweetness means it won’t overwhelm your palate, making it an ideal treat for leisurely mornings or afternoon breaks.
Beyond being a simple snack, its sophisticated yet understated profile also makes it a wonderful addition to a brunch spread. It offers a touch of sweetness without being overly decadent, pairing beautifully with both savory and other sweet brunch items.
However, if you’re looking to elevate it into a more formal dessert, dressing it up is incredibly simple. A light dusting of confectioner’s sugar over the top adds a delicate visual appeal and a whisper of extra sweetness. For an added layer of indulgence, serve each slice with a generous dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream. A final sprinkle of ground cinnamon over the whipped cream not only enhances the cake’s spice profile but also adds a beautiful finishing touch that hints at the delightful flavors within. This presentation transforms it into an elegant dessert suitable for any special occasion.
Other Delicious Almond Flour Recipes to Try:
Have extra almond flour from this recipe? Don’t let it go to waste! Almond flour is a versatile ingredient that adds incredible flavor and texture to a wide array of baked goods. Here are some more fantastic recipes where Bob’s Red Mill Super Fine Almond Flour truly shines, ensuring you can continue enjoying its benefits:
- Almond Sugar Cookies: A delightful twist on a classic, with a delicate almond flavor.
- Almond Crescent Cookies (Kipferl Cookies): Melt-in-your-mouth, buttery cookies perfect for holiday gatherings.
- Pear Frangipane Tart: A more intricate but incredibly rewarding dessert that beautifully combines pears with an almond cream filling.
- Cranberry Christmas Cake: Another festive and flavorful cake perfect for the cooler months.
For those who prefer visual guidance or want to ensure they’re following each step precisely, be sure to watch the accompanying recipe video. It offers helpful demonstrations and tips to ensure your Spiced Almond Pear Cake turns out perfectly every time.
Spiced Almond Pear Cake
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Equipment
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KitchenAid 5 Qt. Artisan Stand Mixer
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Williams Sonoma Goldtouch® 8-Inch Nonstick Round Cake Pan
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups (150 g) Bob’s Red Mill Organic Unbleached All Purpose Flour
- ¾ cup (84 g) Bob’s Red Mill Super Fine Almond Flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ cup (6 oz; 170 g) unsalted butter room temperature
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon pure almond extract
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 2 tablespoons (30 mL) whole or low fat milk
- 2 medium ripe, yet firm Bosc pears peeled, cored, and cut into ½-inch dice
For Serving (Optional):
- lightly sweetened whipped cream
- ground cinnamon for dusting
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (160°C) and position an oven rack in the center. Prepare an 8-inch (2-inch deep) round cake pan by greasing it thoroughly, then lining the bottom with parchment paper. This ensures an easy release. Set aside.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the Bob’s Red Mill Organic Unbleached All Purpose Flour, Bob’s Red Mill Super Fine Almond Flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground ginger, and kosher salt. Whisk until well combined and lump-free. Set aside.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), combine the room temperature unsalted butter and granulated sugar. Beat on medium-high speed for approximately 4 minutes, or until the mixture becomes visibly light in color and fluffy in texture. This step incorporates air, which is key to a tender cake. Reduce the mixer speed to medium and add the large eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition until fully incorporated.
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Add the pure almond extract and pure vanilla extract, then continue to beat for an additional 30 seconds to ensure they are well dispersed. Reduce the mixer to low speed and add the prepared flour mixture in two equal additions, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the flour mixture. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl once or twice during this process to ensure all ingredients are evenly incorporated. The resulting batter will be noticeably thick; this is intentional to support the pears. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer, add the diced pears, and gently fold them into the batter using a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
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Carefully transfer the thick batter into the prepared cake pan. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the batter evenly and smooth the top.
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Bake for 55 to 65 minutes. The cake is done when it’s a deep golden brown on top and a wooden toothpick inserted into the very center comes out clean, with no wet batter attached. Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. This helps it set. Then, carefully invert the cake onto the wire rack, remove the pan, and peel off the parchment paper. Let the cake cool completely on the rack before slicing (though it is quite delicious served slightly warm!). For an elegant touch, dust lightly with confectioner’s sugar before serving, if desired.
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Optional Serving Suggestions: To enhance the experience, top each serving with a generous spoonful of lightly sweetened whipped cream. For an extra layer of spice and visual appeal, sprinkle a tiny pinch of ground cinnamon over the whipped cream.
Video
Tips for Success:
- Storage: While the cake’s texture and flavor are at their absolute best on the day it’s baked, or the day after, this spiced almond pear cake holds up remarkably well for several days. To store, wrap any leftovers loosely but securely in plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. Keep it at room temperature for 2 to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to 5 days, or even freeze individual slices, well-wrapped, for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen cake at room temperature before serving.
- Enhance the Crunch (Optional): For an added textural dimension, consider sprinkling a handful of chopped almonds or walnuts over the top of the cake batter before baking. This will create a delightful crunchy crust.
- Toasting Almond Flour (Optional): While Bob’s Red Mill Super Fine Almond Flour is excellent as is, lightly toasting a small portion of it before adding to the dry ingredients can deepen its nutty flavor even further. Just be careful not to burn it!