Pears, pecans, and caramel form the top layer of this fabulous upside-down cake.
Juicy, sweet, crunchy and moist, look no further for one of the best fall cakes ever!
This cake recipe was originally made with rhubarb. So it was really a spring cake.
The fact that I couldn’t find it made me choose fresh pears and buttery pecans. Very traditional I know, but then upside-down cakes are exactly that, old-fashioned and wonderful.
Boy, am I glad I did make it anyway! Because it’s fair to say it’s one of my favorite upside-down cakes of all times. The batter plays a big role too, of course.
What I wasn’t expecting is for it to be so good. So ridiculously rich both in texture and flavor, the crunchy caramelized pecans and smoky bourbon flavor soaking the cake and the pears, adding that perfect aftertaste that has you wanting more.
Feel free to omit it if kids are eating this cake.
Before we go deeper into this particular recipe, let me tell you that liquors in general, and bourbon in particular, are my middle baking name sometimes. I find that even a small amount delivers big-time with that caramelized flavor that can’t be achieved with any other flavoring. Yes, I use liquors as flavorings. They are that in essence, aren’t they?
As with any plain cake that has added fat in the form of creamy soft cheese – be it sour cream, mascarpone, creme fraiche or the like – the moistness is incomparable.
The cake batter will be enough to comfortably cover the cake.
Tips & tricks for making this recipe:
- Pears: I like to cut them in halves, quarters at the most, so that they hold their shape during baking.
- Caramel: work quickly once you put it in the pan so that you can cover the bottom before it starts hardening.
- Patterns: I don’t pay much attention to patterns, but if you do, take into account how the slices will be cut so that every one of them has pears and pecans.
- Removing: this is the trickiest part of making an upside-down cake. The cake has to be removed while hot; otherwise, the caramel will harden and stick to the pan making it impossible to remove it in one piece.
- Keeping: after 1-2 days I like to refrigerate it (though it usually doesn’t last that long) because fruit tends to ferment, especially in a warm environment. Freezing is an option too, though it will never be the same, in my opinion. But it can be done, well wrapped.
- Variations: most fruits are wonderful for an upside-down cake. I love peaches, mangoes, pineapple, apples, and blueberries. You can flavor the batter too with citrus zest or ground spices.
Other recipes you might like:
Blueberry Peach Upside-Down Cake
Caramelized Apple Upside-down Bread Pudding
Pear Cobbler
Almond Plum Cake
Apple Walnut Loaf Cake
Pear Frangipane Tart
Apricot Tart
Let me know if you make this recipe! I’d love to hear what you think about it.
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Pears, pecans, and caramel form the top layer of this fabulous upside-down cake.
Juicy, sweet, crunchy and moist, look no further for one of the best fall cakes ever!
Ingredients
3-4 pears
For the caramel:
- 2 oz. (60g) unsalted butter, at room t°
- 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 tablespoon bourbon or whisky or cognac
- 1/4 cup pecans
For the cake batter:
- 4 oz. (120g) unsalted butter, at room t°
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room t°
- 1 and 2/3 cups (230g) all-purpose or cake flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (I like to use 1 teaspoon vanilla paste)
- 1 cup sour cream, at room t°
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C.
- Have ready a 9-inch round pan (without removable bottom is my recommendation, unless you know you pan has a very tight bottom).
- Peel, core and cut pears in large pieces or halves.
For the caramel:
- The next step I do it directly in the pan, but you can melt all in a small saucepan and then add it to the pan.
- Add 20z (60g) of the total amount of butter in pieces to the pan. Pop into the oven and let melt.
- Remove, scatter the brown sugar on top and the bourbon and return to the oven until it starts to dissolve.
- Remove from the oven, mix quickly with a spoon, spread to cover the bottom and add the pecans, scattering them or in the pattern you want. Do this quickly.
- Arrange the pear pieces on top and reserve.
For the cake batter:
- In a large bowl beat butter until creamy, about 1 minute, and then slowly add granulated sugar while beating. You need to cream it, so it will take 3-4 minutes until it is light and airy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Sift the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder and salt) and add them in 3 additions alternating with the sour cream in 2 additions. That means you begin and end with flour.
- I have the dry ingredients measured and sift them directly over the butter mixture. Whatever works for you.
- Mix thoroughly but don’t overbeat or the cake will be tough.
- Pour the cake batter carefully over the pears (the caramel will have hardened).
- With the back of a spoon or a spatula, spread the batter so that it covers the fruit completely.
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until dry and a tester inserted comes out clean. Some juices might appear around the rim. That is a good sign!.
- Remove from the oven, let stand a few minutes on a wire rack and have ready the serving platter. You have to be quick and invert the cake while still very hot to prevent the caramel from hardening.
- Lightly shake the pan sideways to loosen the fruit and caramel, and then carefully invert the cake onto the serving plate.
- Do this by putting the platter upside down on top of the cake pan. With the aid of a kitchen towel (the pan is very hot) grab the ends with your hands grabbing both the plate and the pan at the same time, and turn everything upside up.
- Lift the pan carefully. Some fruits or pecans might still be stuck. It happens.
- Remove them with a knife or spatula and arrange them on the cake where they were originally.
- Let cool on a wire rack.
- I like to eat it warm (with whipped cream is a good option) or at room t°.
- Keep it refrigerated after 1 or 2 days, wrapped in plastic.
Notes
Tips & tricks for making this recipe:
- Pears: I like to cut them in halves, quarters at the most, so that they hold their shape during baking.
- Caramel: work quickly once you put it in the pan so that you can cover the bottom before it starts hardening.
- Patterns: I don’t pay much attention to patterns, but if you do, take into account how the slices will be cut so that every one of them has pears and pecans.
- Removing: this is the trickiest part of making an upside-down cake. The cake has to be removed while hot; otherwise, the caramel will harden and stick to the pan making it impossible to remove it in one piece.
- Keeping: after 1-2 days I like to refrigerate it (though it usually doesn’t last that long) because fruit tends to ferment, especially in a warm environment. Freezing is an option too, though it will never be the same, in my opinion. But it can be done, well wrapped.
- Variations: most fruits are wonderful for an upside-down cake. I love peaches, mangoes, pineapple, apples, and blueberries. You can flavor the batter too with citrus zest or ground spices.
Keywords: pear upside down cake, pear pecan upsided down cake
This looks SO GOOD! I can’t wait to try it. Beautiful. Excited to discover your blog.
Yours look amazing! I'll definitely have to try it with a different fruit other than rhubarb. Pears sound fantastic!
It looks just beautiful with the big slices of pear and the whole pecans. Definitely an autumn cake.
This looks insanely good – I want a piece STAT!
I am so impressed by your willpower! It's hard enough for me to share the things I bake with my husband 🙂 let alone only eating half of a slice before giving them away….I'd be curious to know how this one does in the freezer. I've never tried freezing a cheesecake, but you've made me want to try it.
This looks seriously incredible, Paula! There is nothing better than a sweet juicy pear…and in a moist upside down cake with pecans, it has to be absolutely heavenly! Pinning this minute! 🙂
What a beautiful job, Paula. We also loved this recipe and like you, we also used pears. A perfect combination.
I love the way your cake looks with the pear quarters and whole pecans…the smaller pieces get lost in the caramel. I think I'll try making this again with pears.
it looks great! Pears and pecans sound great.
Love it!
Pears are the perfect addition! This really was one yummy dessert–glad you have a slice in the freezer for 'research'. Grand idea!
Wow no kale either? Such a bummer! This cake looks fab! I made a very similar recipe and it froze and reheated perfectly, pears and all. I freeze a ton of my baked goods. Sometimes it's too hard to give them away!
This is heavenly, Paula. I love upside down cakes and pear is one of my favourite fruits. I can't wait until they're in season here again so that I can make this. And don't knock your writing style – you always find the right words to convey a feeling, taste or experience. I treasure every word and every beautiful photo you put on this blog.
Nancy darling, thanks!
Paula, very smart to be using seasonal pears and pecans in this lovely upside-down cake, it certainly looks and sounds delicious. Wasn´t this one fabulous recipe?! Nice to see that you made "one large" version that turned out so very pretty!
Have a great Wednesday!