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I found these little pears and made this cake last December. I misplaced the notes I made on the ingredients and totally forgot all about the recipe until now. I don’t know what happened. I am a very well organized person with quite a good memory.
This was an experimental baking, which to my delight, turned out a success. As we all know, not every experimental cooking/baking turns out as expected. When it comes to making a dessert, regardless of time it consumes, I like to make one which has a surprise or two hidden inside. This cake definitely will delight your family and guests. Without the pears, the cake is also a super delicious, decadent almond cake.
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Pears in Almond Cake
Recipe by: Fae’s Twist & Tango (fae-magazine.com)
INGREDIENTS
For the stuffed pears:
• 5 firm pears, 7.5cm/3″ tall, with long stems (looks better)
• 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
• ½ tsp lemon juice
For the pear stuffing
• 4 Tbsp pistachios, salted/unsalted, shelled
• 8 dried apricots, about 2.5cm/1″ diameter pieces
For the cake
• 64 g/ ½ cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp cardamom
• 113 g/ ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 132 g/ 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
• 120 g/ 1 cup almonds, blanched, dry roasted, unsalted and finely ground
DIRECTIONS
◊ To poach the pears:
– Peel the pears and using grapefruit spoon, from the bottom of the pear, very carefully hollow the core/seeds out and make a hole about 2cm/¾” diameter.
– In a pot large enough to fit 5 pears, fill with water half way, add sugar, lemon juice, and bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium low. Submerge the pears and cover. Simmer for less than 5 minutes or until pears soften only a little (need to be kept firm in shape). Drain and set aside to cool.
◊ To make the pear stuffing: In a food processor, grind pistachios and apricots into very small pieces. Roll 5 2cm/¾” balls. Set aside.
◊ Spray a 23cm/9″ oven-safe, deep tart/pie dish with non-stick spray (recommended to serve in the dish) -or- spray a 23cm/9″ non-stick cake pan with a non-stick spray.
◊ Place the rack in the middle shelf of the oven and preheat oven to 175ºC / 350ºF
◊ Thoroughly whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cardamom.
◊ Using a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar until well incorporated. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth. Then, while still beating, sprinkle ground almonds and beat until well incorporated. Stop the mixer.
◊ Sprinkle ¼ of flour at a time and with a silicone spatula fold into the almond mixture, just enough to incorporate the flour, scraping sides of the bowl. For a fluffier cake, don’t over mix.
◊ Pour 1/3 of the batter into the cake pan and spread it evenly. Insert the pistachio balls into pears and place the pears on the batter. Spoon in remainder of the batter all around the pears and smooth it evenly.
◊ Bake for 23 ~ 28 minutes or until golden brown, or inserted bamboo skewer in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan/tart dish on a rack.
◊ If a cake pan is used, very carefully loosen the side of the cake (if needed). To keep the cake from falling apart from the pears, neatly cut the cake in five equal slices with a pear in each slices’s center. Lift each slice and reconstruct the cake on a serving dish.
~ Bon Appétit! ~
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So, what’s cooking in your kitchen?
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I have to say this is very impressive! There are lots of pear desserts in France but I’ve never seen anything like this! Looking forward to giving it a try 🙂
Hi Amanda, I’m so glad you like it. When you do make it, please send me a photo of it to be included on the post as “Look, I made it!” 🙂
I love the pear stuffing, my uncle has pears growing in his yard, I l definitely try this 🙂
Wow, naturally ripened, home grown pear! Give it a try and surprise your loved ones. 🙂
Wow! Stuffed pears in a cake! and stuffed with pistachios! The cake looks fantastic! I just wish I could take a huge slice right now… Greta job, Fae!
Hi Mila, I’m so glad you and everyone are delighted by this creation. It is the hidden pistachios/apricot balls that did the real trick! 😀 )))
What a delight of a cake Fae! Absolutely beautiful to cut through and see the stuffed pears – can imagine the oohs and aahs when you do so! Filled with such beautiful flavours, this is a must try dessert and will bookmark for next autumn when the pears are at their best. 🙂
We are finally getting the cool weather as your are getting your warm days. Until it is time for the pear season, try out the almond cake, which is quick an simple as it gets. The pears do add that oohs and aahs as you mentioned and thanks!
This is such a creative and stunning dessert! I wish I can just have a piece of this cake right now!
Darling Vera, I wish I was close to you and bake you one. 🙂
Fae… you knocked me down with this cake. I am speechless, really. Too hard to find some adjectives for this recipe…. I’ve saved this recipe in my reading list, because I have to make it!!! Fae, you rule!!
Margherita, You are just too kind to me. You are a talented baker, and compliment coming from you makes me very happy. I’m glad this cake amused you. 🙂
Oh my – the pears are really sunk in your cake – how unique – I like it too Fae 🙂
😀 ))) To accommodate my ‘RECIPE’ page and have titles in alphabetical by category, the title had to start with ‘pear’ instead of sunken pear in almond cake. They look cute, don’t they? 😀 )))
What a gorgeous-looking dessert, Fae! The nutty component is simply to die for and the pears must elevate it to crazy deliciousness! I love this and I’m bookmarking it! Thank you, dear Fae!
You’re welcome and thank you, Sweet Francesca! I had fun making it and was surprised myself too with the outcome. 😀 )))
Fae, this is such a surprising cake. I caught by the stuffed pear, like a hidden treasure. Absolutely yummiest! 🙂
Thank you, Sweet Mochi! Isn’t it fun? 😀
What a beautiful dessert–it looks and sounds wonderful! Pear and almond flavors make a great combination!
Thank you, Nancy! You are right, the juicy pear was a great combination with the almond cake. 🙂
I am pinning this and will bake it as soon as I return from Germany, a stunning cake.
Hi Gerlinde, Have a great time in Germany! When you make this cake, please take a photo and send me so I can add to the post with link to your blog! 🙂
wow and wow again…this is amazingly beautiful!
Hi Diana, I have seen some ‘wow’ creations on your blog too! Thank you, Lovely Lady! 🙂
Oh, it looks absolutely amazing Fae. The pears stuffing are superb, it sounds like my perfect type of dessert! 🙂
Thank you, Linda! You make such beautiful desserts, that comment of approval coming from you, I am pleased. 🙂
Wow, very creative!
Thank you, Chris! 🙂
Absolute delight. Those stuffed pears are a slice of genius! And I love the little bit of cardamom in the cake.
Thank you, thank you, dear Johnny! I am so glad that you liked it. It just didn’t seem right for the pears to be hollow when cut into. 😀 )))
A pear cake with stuffed pears no less. Just beautiful!
Thank you, Hilda! Succulent fruits in cake with so much texture and flavor is truly wonderful. 🙂
Fae this cake looks so elegant and the combination of flavors sound absolutely delicious. I love the filling, what a delightful surprise.
Thank you, Homa! I was so happy that it turned so well. Not only were the pears a pleasant touch, but the almond cake is very delicious too. 😛
Oh my, this looks absolutely amazing! I would have a hard time eating just one slice. I’d better make it a big slice!
Oh Virginia, You an me both. I try not to bake often, because I am uncontrollable. 😛
Not only this is a beautiful cake, the stuffing in the pear makes it just brilliant. Great idea! 🙂
Hi Ronit, I thought hollowed pears may feel empty sunken in the cake. So, I fulfilled them! 😀 )))
Hooooollly my goodness this looks incredible! Some of my favourite ingredients and spices are in here. I really want to try this recipe! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Hi Cindy, I’m glad that you are delighted. Should you make the recipe (with your twist is okay), will you please send me a photo, so I can add to this post with a link to your blog? 🙂
My gosh Fae, my heart skipped a beat when I saw these. All the ingredients that I absolutely love with a sweet surprise inside. A work of art right there, just gorgeous!
Aren’t the pears cute hiding in a delicious almond cake with gifts to bear us? 😀 )))
This looks and sounds fantastic, Fae! I’m glad you found this recipe in your archives, it was well worth experimenting and sharing!
It is having delicious almond cake and poached pear with a present! I’m glad I found it too. 🙂