Spiced Pear Cake

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This easy homemade spiced pear cake has a moist, tender crumb and is filled with warm fall flavors and fresh pear slices in every bite. It's the perfect simple one-layer cake to kick off your fall baking!

Sometimes in life you just need something simple yet elegant. This one-layer Spiced Pear Cake fits that bill. It's easy to make, comes together with minimal fuss and tastes divine. Impress your guests with its elegance and elevated flavor. And impress yourself with the minimal amount of time it takes to make and its simple ingredients. This pear cake has a moist, tender crumb and is filled with warm fall flavors and fresh pear slices in every bite. It's the perfect one-layer cake to kick off your fall baking!

If you haven't noticed, I'm a big fan of pears. Every August, I eagerly await the start of pear harvest. It's my favorite time of year. The girls and I go down to the orchard to "help" with the harvest. The girls spend time with their grandpa and dad unloading pear bins and loading pear trucks while I pick unreasonable amounts of pears to take home. I love that harvest is a family affair, even if I only provide goodies for the harvest crew.

One of my favorite things each year is to develop new pear recipes to use up all our pears. I created this homemade spiced pear cake recipe a few years ago. It instantly became a family favorite. It's easy to make and has such a great fall aroma. The cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves and ginger add the warm and cozy fall spice flavor. Couple those spices with the pears and crème fraiche and it's a match made in heaven. Enjoy this easy one-layer spiced pear cake slightly warm and with a dusting of powdered sugar, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

If you love baking with pears as much as I do, be sure to check out my Salted Caramel Pear Pie, Spiced Pear Waffles and Pear Pecan Muffins with Oat Pecan Crumble.

Why You'll Love This Pear Cake

It's Unbeatable in Flavor: The magical blend of pear, spices and a hint of ginger will surely win your heart (and taste buds!) in this moist cake.

Easy-Peasy: This isn't some complicated French pastry; our pear cake recipe is beginner-friendly and straightforward.

A Sure-shot Crowd Pleaser: Be it a family gathering or a quiet evening with friends, this pear spice cake is an instant hit! Its flavor is also great for the holiday season and any special occasion.

Pear Cake Ingredients

all-purpose flour
baking powder
baking soda
kosher salt
ground cinnamon
allspice
ground ginger
ground nutmeg
ground cloves
butter
granulated sugar
brown sugar
vanilla extract
eggs
crème fraiche
pears
powdered sugar (optional)

See the printable recipe card below for exact quantities.

How To Make Pear Cake: The Quick Guide

Preheat your oven and prepare your cake pan.
Mix the dry ingredients and set aside.
Cream the butter and sugar together in the bowl of an electric mixer. Add eggs and vanilla extract.
Gradually add the dry ingredients.
Pour half the cake batter into the prepared pan.
Layer pears on top of the batter and then carefully pour batter over the pears.
Bake this delicious cake in a preheated oven for about 50 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

See the printable recipe card below for exact recipe instructions.

Tips For A Flawless Spiced Pear Cake Recipe

Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature.
Don't overmix the batter; it can lead to a dense cake.
Use ripe (or slightly underripe) pears for the best texture and taste.

FAQs

How to Tell if Pears Are Ripe

Look for firm but ripe pears.

Check the neck! Apply gentle pressure to the neck of the pear with your thumb. If it yields to pressure, it's ripe.

If the pears are rock hard when you buy them, you must wait a few days for them to ripen on the counter.

Mushy pears aren't good for baking, so don't use them for this recipe.

What are the Best Pears for Baking?

When it comes to baking, certain varieties of pears are better suited due to their texture and flavor. Here are a few top picks:

1. Bartlett Pears: Bartlett pears become extremely sweet when baked. They tend to become soft, so make sure you're using firm but ripe Barletts. See the tips above about selecting ripe pears. I used Bartlett pears for this recipe.

2. Bosc Pears: These pears are arguably the best for baking. They have a honey-sweet flavor and a firm texture that holds up well when cooked.

3. Anjou Pears: Both red and green Anjou pears have a mild flavor and maintain their shape when baked, making them a good choice for cakes, pies, and tarts.

4. Concorde Pears: Known for their vanilla-like flavor, they are firm and do not brown as quickly as other varieties, making them an excellent choice for any baking endeavor.

Remember, the best pears for baking are ones that are just slightly underripe. This helps them maintain their shape during the baking process.

What does spiced pear taste like?

It's a heavenly mix of sweet, tangy and aromatic. The warming spices complement the subtle sweetness of the pears, making it a perfect fall dessert.

How long does pear cake last in the fridge?

The pear cake can last up to a week in the fridge. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness.

Do pears need to be ripe for baking?

Not necessarily. Slightly underripe pears are perfect as they maintain shape during baking.

Do cakes made with fresh pears need to be refrigerated?

Yes, refrigerating these cakes helps preserve their moisture and prevents them from spoiling.

More Fall Season Recipes You'll Love

See more Fall →

Serving Suggestions

Serve this tasty pear cake warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Drizzle some caramel sauce over the top for an extra layer of yumminess!

Storage Instructions

Store leftover pear cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

This cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. First, let the cake cool completely. Wrap the cake tightly in multiple layers of plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn and the absorption of other food odors from the freezer. For an additional layer of protection, place the wrapped cake in a freezer-safe container or a large zip-top freezer bag.

To defrost, remove the cake from the freezer and let it thaw in the fridge overnight. For a quick thaw, you can also place it at room temperature for a few hours. Enjoy your cake as if it was freshly baked!

If you give this recipe a try, please leave a comment below, rate the recipe, and don’t forget to tag me @homesweetfarmhome on Instagram and use the hashtag #homesweetfarmhome. I’d love to see what you come up with and share with our community. Cheers!

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