Description
An elegant dessert featuring a satin caramel glaze, tender crumb, and glossy caramelized pears.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, room temperature (for batter)
- 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract or seeds from 1 vanilla bean
- 1 1/4 cups (150 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) whole milk, warm
- 4 tbsp (56 g) unsalted butter, browned and warm (for topping)
- 1/2 cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp heavy cream (optional, for silkier caramel)
- 2–3 ripe pears (Bosc or Bartlett), peeled, halved, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (to prevent browning)
- Fleur de sel or a pinch of flaky sea salt (for finish)
- Optional: 2 tbsp sliced toasted almonds or a light dusting of powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment for easy release.
- In a small saucepan, melt 4 tbsp butter until browned; add brown sugar, stir until glossy, then mix in heavy cream and lemon juice. Pour into the prepared pan, coating the base. Arrange pear slices in an overlapping pattern.
- Cream room-temperature butter and granulated sugar until pale. Add eggs one at a time, mixing in vanilla. Fold in sifted flour, baking powder, and salt, alternating with warm milk until smooth.
- Spoon the batter over the pears and smooth the top. Bake for 35–45 minutes, until golden and a skewer comes out with a few crumbs.
- Let the cake cool for 15–20 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate. Top with remaining caramel and sprinkle with flaky sea salt and toasted almonds.
- Serve slices warm with whipped crème fraîche or sweetened mascarpone.
Notes
Use room-temperature ingredients for better texture; pears should be ripe but firm. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours or refrigerated for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg