Description
This Italian Pear Cake is a soft, buttery, fruit-filled dessert that looks elegant but is wonderfully easy to make. With tender pears baked into a light vanilla cake and finished with powdered sugar, it is perfect for a cozy breakfast treat, simple dessert, afternoon coffee cake, or easy recipe to add to your favorite food ideas and baking ideas list.
Ingredients
2 medium ripe pears
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper.
2. Peel the pears, cut them in half, and remove the cores. Set them aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
5. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and lemon zest.
6. Add the dry ingredients in batches, alternating with the milk, and mix just until combined.
7. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and gently press the pear halves into the batter.
8. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the cake is golden and a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
9. Cool the cake for 10 to 15 minutes, then remove from the pan and let it cool completely.
10. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
Use pears that are ripe but still firm so they hold their shape while baking.
Do not overmix the batter or the cake may turn out dense instead of tender.
Dust with powdered sugar only after the cake has cooled so it stays pretty and does not melt into the top.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 255
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 135mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 68mg
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