ALMOND AND PEAR CAKE
This moist cake is a perfect winter dessert when pears are in season. Change it up for other seasons using raspberries, peaches, or apples instead of the pears. Optional garnish: sift confectioners' sugar on top and/or serve with a dollop of whipped cream.
Provided by eatcookdream
Categories Desserts Nut Dessert Recipes Almond Dessert Recipes
Time 55m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Butter a small tart pan or a 9-inch cake pan.
- Mix pear slices and amaretto liqueur together in a bowl.
- Process almonds and 2 tablespoons sugar together in a food processor until the mixture is a fine almond meal.
- Beat 1/4 cup sugar and butter together in a bowl using an electric mixer until light and fluffy; add eggs and vanilla extract and beat until well combined. Mix almond meal mixture, flour, and salt into creamed butter mixture to make a smooth batter.
- Drain pears, reserving the amaretto liqueur. Stir drained liqueur into batter just until incorporated.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan, smoothing batter if uneven. Arrange pear slices in a decorative pattern atop batter.
- Bake in the preheated oven until cake is starting to pull away from the edges, about 25 minutes. Allow cake to cool in pan for at least 15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 376.5 calories, Carbohydrate 28.4 g, Cholesterol 102.7 mg, Fat 26.3 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 7.1 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, Sodium 79.8 mg, Sugar 18.6 g
ALMOND AND PEAR CAKE
An Italian style cake. Regular all-purpose flour or a gluten-free flour blend can be used. If using gluten-free flour use a good quality blended flour that includes a gum or add in 1 teaspoon of xanthan or guar gum with the flour. USe either a flan tin or a pie plate suitable to serve from. You can make your own almond meal by grinding blanched almonds in a coffee mill or food processor until finely ground. Tinned pears can be used if fresh are not available but fresh fruit give a preferable result.
Provided by Jubes
Categories Dessert
Time 50m
Yield 1 cake, 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Grease a 30cm flan tin or a pie plate that you can directly slice and serve from. Preheat oven to 18OC.
- Using electric beaters, beat butter, sugar and lemon zest until creamy and pale in colour.
- Continu beating and add the eggs, one at a time.
- Fold in the flour, baking powder and almond meal. Fold in the xanthan or guar gum at this point if you are using gluten-free flour that does not already contain a gum.
- Spoon half of this mixture into the flan tin. Spread to cover. Reserve the remaining half of the mixture. Arrange the pear slices over the base. Spread the pears out evenly. They usually need to be slightly overlapped. Sprinkle the cinnamon over the pears.
- Spread the remaining cake batter over the top of the pear layer and then scatter over the flaked almonds.
- Bake in the pre-heated oven for around 30 minutes or until tested as cooked with a skewer.
- Allow the cooked cake to stand for at least 10 minutes prior to serving. Serve warm with fresh cream, warm custard or ice-cream.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 428, Fat 22.4, SaturatedFat 10.4, Cholesterol 86.6, Sodium 288.6, Carbohydrate 53.2, Fiber 4.8, Sugar 27.8, Protein 7
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Ingredients
To make almond and pear cake, you will need a variety of ingredients. The core ingredients include pears, almonds, sugar, butter, eggs, and flour. You can also add other ingredients such as vanilla, cinnamon, or nutmeg to enhance the flavors.Pears
The pears are a key ingredient in almond and pear cake recipes. They add a sweet and juicy flavor that complements the nutty richness of the almonds. It's important to choose pears that are ripe but still firm so that they hold up during baking.Almonds
Almonds are another essential ingredient in almond and pear cake. They provide a nutty and slightly crunchy texture to the cake. You can use either whole or sliced almonds depending on your preference.Sugar
Sugar is used both to sweeten the cake and to help create a light and fluffy texture. You can use either granulated or caster sugar, depending on what you have on hand.Butter
Butter is used to add richness and moisture to the cake. You can use either salted or unsalted butter, depending on what you prefer.Eggs
Eggs are used to bind the cake together and to give it structure. They also add richness and flavor to the cake.Flour
Flour is used to anchor the other ingredients together and to give the cake structure. You can use either all-purpose flour or self-raising flour, depending on the recipe.Method
There are many different methods for making almond and pear cake, but the basic steps are usually the same. Here are the main steps involved in making this delicious dessert:Step 1: Preheat the oven
The first step is to preheat the oven to the required temperature. This is usually around 180°C or 350°F.Step 2: Prepare the cake tin
Next, you need to prepare the cake tin. You can use either a round or square tin, depending on what you have on hand. Grease the tin with butter or cooking spray, then dust with flour to prevent sticking.Step 3: Prepare the pears and almonds
Peel and core the pears, then slice them thinly. Set aside. Toast the almonds in a dry frying pan for a few minutes until they are golden brown. Allow them to cool, then chop them coarsely.Step 4: Cream the butter and sugar
Cream the butter and sugar together using a stand mixer or a hand-held mixer. This should take around 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.Step 5: Add the eggs and flour
Add the eggs to the butter and sugar mixture, one at a time. Make sure to mix well between each addition. Sift in the flour and mix until just combined.Step 6: Add the pear and almond mixture
Fold in the sliced pears and chopped almonds, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.Step 7: Pour into the cake tin
Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin, smoothing out the surface with a spatula.Step 8: Bake the cake
Bake the cake in the preheated oven for around 40-50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.Step 9: Let the cake cool
Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the tin for 10 minutes. Then, remove it from the tin and let it cool completely on a wire rack.Variations
There are many variations of almond and pear cake recipes that you can try. Here are a few ideas:Cinnamon Pear and Almond Cake
Add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the batter to enhance the warm and spicy flavor of the pears.Upside-Down Pear and Almond Cake
Arrange pear slices in the bottom of the cake tin before pouring in the batter, then flip the cake over after baking for a stunning presentation.Pear, Almond, and Chocolate Cake
Add a handful of chocolate chips to the batter for a decadent twist on the classic recipe.Conclusion
In conclusion, almond and pear cake recipes are a delicious and comforting dessert that can be enjoyed all year round. By following a few simple steps, you can create a cake that is rich, moist, and full of flavor. Whether you prefer it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or cold with a cup of tea, this cake is sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire.Almond and pear cake is a mouth-watering dessert that everyone loves. The combination of almond, pear, and other ingredients produces a very rich and unique flavor. The cake is perfect for any occasion and can be served with coffee or tea. Making a perfect almond and pear cake requires following a few tips and tricks that can help you in creating an amazing cake that melts in your mouth. Here are some valuable tips to keep in mind when making almond and pear cake recipes.
Choose the Right Pear
Choosing the right pear is the first and most important step to consider when making an almond and pear cake. It is important to choose pears that are ripe but firm, have a nice aroma, and are juicy. The best pears for baking are Anjou, Bartlett, and Bosc pears. These types of pears have a good balance of sweetness and tartness, which will complement the almonds in the cake perfectly.
Use High-Quality Almond Flour
Almond flour is a crucial ingredient in an almond and pear cake, as it provides the unique flavor and texture. It is important to use high-quality almond flour to ensure that the cake has a rich and nutty flavor. It is recommended to use blanched almond flour, which is made from almonds that have had their skin removed. This will give the cake a light color and a finer texture. Moreover, using high-quality almond flour ensures that the cake is gluten-free and high in protein.
Balance the Sugar Content
Balancing the sugar content is another essential tip when making an almond and pear cake. It is important to remember that the pears bring natural sweetness to the cake, so you need to adjust the sugar content accordingly. Adding too much sugar can overload the cake with sweetness and overpower the other flavors. A good rule of thumb is to reduce the sugar amount by 25% in your recipe. You can also use natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup instead of sugar, which will add a unique flavor to the cake.
Add Some Spice
Adding some spice to the almond and pear cake can help enhance the flavor and aroma of the cake. Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger work perfectly with the pears and almonds. These spices bring warmth and depth to the cake, making it even more delicious. However, it is important not to use too many spices as they can overpower the other flavors. A good rule of thumb is to use no more than two teaspoons of spice per batch of cake.
Use a Bundt Cake Pan
Using a bundt cake pan is one of the best ways to ensure that your almond and pear cake looks beautiful and bakes evenly. The shape of the bundt cake pan helps distribute the heat evenly, ensuring that the cake bakes evenly. Moreover, the ridges on the bundt pan help the cake to develop a crispy and golden crust. To prevent the cake from sticking to the pan, it is important to butter and flour the pan before adding the batter.
Don't Overmix the Batter
Overmixing the batter can make the cake tough and dense. It is important to mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined, and there are no visible lumps. Overmixing can also affect the texture of the cake and cause it to stick to the pan. To avoid overmixing, use a spatula to fold the ingredients together gently. If the batter is too thick, you can add some milk or almond milk to thin it out.
Use a Toothpick to Check for Doneness
Using a toothpick to check for doneness is one of the easiest and most effective ways to ensure that your almond and pear cake is fully baked. Once the cake has been in the oven for the recommended time, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, it means that the cake is fully baked. If there is still batter on the toothpick, the cake needs more time in the oven.
Let the Cake Cool Before Slicing
Letting the cake cool before slicing is another crucial tip to keep in mind. Cutting the cake when it is still warm can cause it to break apart and lose its shape. Moreover, the flavors need to settle and develop before the cake is served. To cool the cake, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. Once it has cooled down, you can turn it out onto a wire rack and let it cool completely before slicing.
Conclusion
Almond and pear cake is a delicious dessert that is perfect for any occasion. Making a perfect almond and pear cake requires following a few tips and tricks that can help you in creating an amazing cake that melts in your mouth. Choosing the right pear, using high-quality almond flour, balancing the sugar content, adding some spice, using a bundt cake pan, not overmixing the batter, using a toothpick to check for doneness, and letting the cake cool before slicing are essential tips that you should keep in mind when making almond and pear cake recipes.