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Tessa Huff
Tessa Huff
Tessa Huff is a Vancouver-based specialty chef and food stylist/photographer. She is the author of her forthcoming book "Layered," from Abrams Books. You can find more of her work at www.stylesweetca.com
updated May 2, 2019
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Are single-layer cakes all the rage right now or am I just little behind the times? Either way, I am in love. Bake them with seasonal fruit, top with fresh whipped cream, and add a drizzle of this or that — or even a scoop of ice cream. This caramel pear upside down cake is the perfect way to combine this flavorful fall fruit and a mound of your favorite toppings.
When I owned my bakery, I only made layer cakes for weddings and special occasions. I figured cake + filling + frosting was the best way to combine flavors. And while layer cakes still, and always will, have their place, single-layer cakes present so many options. They are simple to whip up and a bit more user-friendly. Since the frostings and toppings do not need to be as stable as in a layer cake, they tend to be more versatile and forgiving.
Upside down cakes take single-layer cakes to a whole new level. The caramelization of the butter and brown sugar in the bottom of the pan add rich, deep flavors to the whole cake. Baked in a skillet, the pear slices also become tender without effort. Cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom add spicy flavor without overpowering the pear, and they are perfect as we transition into autumn.
Let’s face it, this cake was made to be devoured. Make it to celebrate with friends or when you are craving something extra indulgent. Top your slice with a mound of freshly-whipped Cardamom Cream and a drizzle or two (or three) of homemade cinnamon butterscotch. There are times to find healthy alternatives, but this cake is not one of those.
Caramel Pear Upside Down Cake
Serves 8
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 2 to 3
ripe pears
- 11 tablespoons
unsalted butter, divided
- 1 1/4 cups
brown sugar, divided
- 1 1/2 cups
all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons
baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon
bakind soda
- 1 teaspoon
cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon
ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon
cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon
salt
- 1/2 cup
unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup
sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons
vanilla extract
- 2
large eggs
- 1/2 cup
buttermilk
For the cinnamon butterscotch:
- 4 tablespoons
unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup
brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons
cinnamon
- 1/2 cup
heavy cream, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon
vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon
salt, or to taste
For the whipped cream:
- 2 cups
cold heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup
granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon
vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon
ground cardamom, or to taste
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Sift together the dry ingredients for the cake and set aside. Peal and core the pears. Slice into thin wedges, about 1/4" thick.
Place 3 tablespoons butter and 3/4 cup brown sugar in a 12-inch ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Stir until sugar starts to dissolve. Simmer over low heat, undisturbed, until thick and caramel-y, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Carefully arrange the pear slices on top of the caramel in a fan. Add more pears to the center of the skillet to cover the entire surface if needed.
Cream the remaining 8 tablespoons of butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar together with an electric mixer. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. With the mixer on low, add in the vanilla and eggs, one at a time. Alternating between dry and wet, mix in the flour mixture and buttermilk in two to three batches.
Pour the cake batter on top of the pears in the skillet. With a small off-set spatula, smooth the batter over the pears. Bake about 25 to 40 (depending how large your skillet is) or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Let cake cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Place a cake plate or cutting board on top of the skillet. Carefully, using oven mitts, flip the skillet over and invert the cake onto the plate.
To make the cinnamon butterscotch, place the butter, sugar, cinnamon, and 1/4 cup of cream in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Let come to a gentle boil and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. While whisking, pour in the remaining cream and vanilla. Add salt to taste.
Before serving, whip the cream with an electric mixer. Once the cream begins to thicken, add in the sugar, vanilla, and cardamom. Whip until medium-stiff peaks. Do not over beat.
Serve the cake topped with the whipped cream and a drizzle of butterscotch.
Recipe Notes
Try piping rosettes with the whipped cream onto the cake using a pastry bag a star piping tip. Keeping the pastry bag perpendicular to the top of the cake, pipe tight, flat spirals to create the rosettes.
Filed in:
autumn
baked goods
Baking
Cake
Dessert
sweets
