Caramelized Pear & Almond Upside-down Cake Recipe
This scrumptious, melt-in-your-mouth dessert is the perfect ending to your holiday feast. Ready in about an hour, this indulgent dessert is a combination of fresh pears, orange juice and blanched almonds. Enjoy!
Caramelized Pear & Almond Upside-down Cake Recipe
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Serves: 6 to 8 (makes one 9-inch cake)
Ingredients:
1 cup organic blanched almonds (4 oz)
2/3 cup organic all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
6 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large organic eggs
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
For Pears:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
2 organic Anjou pears (peeled, cored, and cut into ½ inch-thick slices)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a food processor, process almonds until finely ground.
3. Combine ground almonds, flour and baking powder. Stir to blend.
4. Beat the butter until softened.
5. Gradually add in the sugar and continue to beat the mixture until it is thick and pale in color.
6. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until incorporated.
7. Gradually beat in the flour mixture and the orange juice. Set aside.
For Pear Preparation:
1. In a well-seasoned 9-inch cast-iron skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
2. Add the brown sugar, stir to dissolve, and cook until bubbly.
3. Add the pear slices in a single layer. Cook in the syrup for about 2 minutes per side or until both sides are lightly caramelized.
4. Remove from heat and let cool for 3 minutes.
5. Pour batter over the pear mixture and gently spread it around to cover the pears.
6. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
7. Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes.
8. Invert onto a cake plate and serve warm or at room temperature.
~Courtesy of Seriously Simple by Diane Rossen Worthington
Tags: almond, almonds, anjou, butter, cake, caramelized, orange juice, organic, pear, sugar, upside-down cake