Recipes

[katkitty]

Ginger Pear Upside Down Cake

Use a 9-inch cake pan with sides that are at least 2 inches tall.

Topping:

1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter
1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 to 3 ripe but firm pears, such as Anjou or Bartlett
2 tablespoons finely chopped candied ginger

Cake:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons finely chopped candied ginger

Whipped Cream:

1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon Amaretto liqueur

For the Topping: Preheat the oven to 350*

Put the butter and brown sugar in the cake pan, and place it in the oven until melted and bubbly, about 10 minutes.

In the meantime, core the pears, and cut them into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Remove the pan from the oven, stir to combine the butter and sugar, and arrange the pears on top of the mixture in a circular pattern. Sprinkle the candied ginger over the pears.

For the Cake:

Using an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs and beat for another 30 seconds.

In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt. To the butter mixture, alternate adding the flour mixture and milk, starting and ending with the flour, beating on low speed between each addition. Stir in the vanilla and candied ginger.

Pour the batter evenly over the pears. Bake for about 55 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and immediately invert onto a large cake plate. Let cool for about 15 minutes.

For the Amaretto Whipped Cream: Using an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the cream on high speed until soft peaks form. Beat in the powdered sugar and Amaretto. Serve the cake, slightly warm, with the whipped cream alongside.

*adapted" - “The Pastry Queen Christmas”