Cardamom Pear Upside-Down Cake
i grew up with my mom using crisco so i am trying to change baking. i created this recipe and out of all my treats it's the voted favorite of my roommates. my boyfriend even requested it for his birthday! this cake always surprises people. first it's the hint of cardamom. then when i tell them it's whole grains with alternative sweeteners they can't believe something quality and healthy actually tastes so good! serve with goat yogurt or raw whole milk
Total Steps
21
Ingredients
12
Tools Needed
12
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 pears pears
- 1 1/2 cups whole grain flour (such as spelt, kamut or whole wheat)
- 3 teaspoons ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 stick unsalted softened butter
- 1/2 cup unsweetened apple juice (or apple sauce)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon dark rum(optional)
- 2 tablespoons dark rum(optional)
Instructions
Step 1
Cut pears in half.
Step 2
Core and slice pears about 3-4 mm thick.
Step 3
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a 10-inch cast iron skillet. Add a portion of the sugar.
Step 4
Simmer over moderate heat, stirring for 4 minutes to prevent burning.
Step 5
Remove the skillet from heat.
Step 6
Arrange pear slices on top of the sugar mixture in the skillet, overlapping pieces slightly.
Step 7
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 8
Sift together flour, ground cardamom, and salt in a separate bowl.
Step 9
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy, then gradually beat in the remaining sugar.
Step 10
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Step 11
Beat in vanilla extract and the optional 1 tablespoon rum.
Step 12
Add half of the sifted flour mixture and beat until just blended.
Step 13
Beat in the unsweetened apple juice (or apple sauce).
Step 14
Add the remaining flour mixture and beat until just blended.
Step 15
Spoon the batter evenly over the pear topping in the skillet.
Step 16
Bake in the middle of the preheated oven until golden and a tester comes out clean, about 45 minutes.
Step 17
Let the cake stand in the skillet for 5 minutes.
Step 18
Carefully place a plate over the skillet, then invert the cake onto the plate (keeping plate and skillet firmly pressed together). Replace any pear slices stuck to the bottom of the skillet onto the cake.
Step 19
Sprinkle the optional 2 tablespoons rum over the cake.
Step 20
Cool the cake on the plate on a wire rack.
Step 21
Serve the cake just warm or at room temperature.