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    Home » Desserts

    Pear Cake

    Published: Oct 4, 2022 · by Nico

    Jump to Recipe

    Our pear cake is soft, moist, fruity, and easy to make. You only need 7 simple ingredients to make this pear-packed dessert.

    It's perfect as a snack, breakfast, or dessert for a special occasion. Try it, and you won't have pear cake any other way!

    pear cake with cinnamon and fresh pears

    Check out our best plant-based dessert recipes!

    From our orange cake and apple cake to our lemon blueberry pound cake and carrot cake, if you follow our blog, you know we love cakes packed with fresh seasonal fruit.

    This pear cake is a simple, soft, round cake stuffed and topped with pear pieces.

    As the cake cooks, the pears release their flavor and juices, keeping the cake moist, adding a pleasantly soft texture, and infusing it with flavor.

    Also, making it, it's incredibly easy. Mix a few ingredients in a bowl, chop the pears in the batter, and cover the top of the cake with pear slices before baking it.

    We then like to sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top to make the pear cake cozy and perfect for fall and winter.

    Once baked, the cake looks beautiful, and it tastes delicious. We eat it for breakfast, as a snack, or as a dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.

    The cake is egg-free, and you won't even notice that. It's soft, moist, and tasty, and it cuts perfectly.

    Pear cake on a plate with ice cream

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for easy pear cake

    Fresh pears

    You can use most pear varieties to make this cake. We can recommend Bartlett pears, Forelle, Bosc, Concorde, Comice, Seckel, and our favorite Anjou pears.

    Use pears that are not too hard or soft but just ripe. Also, you can keep the peel on.

    Flour

    We use all-purpose flour. To make the cake more wholesome, you can use half all-purpose flour and half whole wheat flour.

    To make the cake gluten-free, you can use an 11-to-1gluten-free flour mixture.

    Milk

    You can use any milk or non-dairy milk. We use unsweetened soy milk.

    You can also use half milk, half yogurt, or buttermilk.

    Sugar

    We use white sugar, but the most type of sugar work, including brown sugar, palm sugar, and coconut sugar.

    Vegetable oil

    Any light-colored vegetable oil with a neutral flavor works here. For example, we like to use canola oil or sunflower oil.

    You can substitute unsalted butter or dairy-free butter for oil. However, if you do so, you'll need 25% more butter than oil (multiply our oil amount by 1.25).

    Cinnamon

    Cinnamon is for the top. We mix it with a tablespoon or two of sugar, then sprinkle it on top of the pears before baking the cakes. It's optional, but we recommend it.

    Baking powder

    Baking powder helps the cake rise and turn out soft and fluffy. Make sure your baking powder hasn't been open for too long, or else it might not work.

    Vanilla extract

    Vanilla extract is optional. It melds well with the pear and cinnamon flavor, and if you have it in your pantry, we recommend adding it.

    You can also use the beans of a vanilla pod.

    Salt

    Salt is optional. You can add a pinch to tie the other ingredients together and enhance their flavor.

    We don't use eggs in this cake but rest assured you won't notice that. The cake is moist, tasty, and soft and cuts perfectly.

    Optional add-ins

    Feel free to add one or more of the followings:

    • ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips
    • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
    • ⅓ cup chopped walnuts
    • ⅓ cup chopped pecans
    • ½ teaspoon ground cloves (on top with the cinnamon)
    • a dusting of powdered sugar to garnish on top
    A slice of pear cake

    Instructions

    Make the cake batter

    Preheat the oven to 350°F or 180°C. Line a 9-inch (21 cm) springform pan or cake pan with parchment paper, sides, and bottom.

    Add the wet ingredients to a large mixing bowl: milk, sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Whisk well till combined.

    milk and sugar in a bowl

    Sift in the all-purpose flour and baking powder, and whisk it with a manual whisk, electric mixer, or stand mixer.

    Tip for using mixers: start whisking at low speed so that the dry ingredients don't spill out of the bowl. Then scrape down the sides of the bowl and whisk for a few more minutes at medium speed.

    sift flour into the batter

    Make sure lumps are gone but don't overmix the batter. Over-mixing will result in a heavier and gummier pear cake.

    mix all ingredients for the pear cake

    Cut 1 pound of pears (about 450 grams) into four pieces lengthwise.

    Cut their stem and core them, chop them into small chunks and add them to the cake batter.

    Pear slices in the cake batter

    Stir the pears in the batter with a spatula, then pour the batter into the springform pan.

    cake batter for the pear cake

    Make the top

    Cut three small pears in half and remove their core with a teaspoon (we use a US measuring spoon).

    Cut the half pears into thin slices.

    pear slices to decorate the cake

    Arrange the slices on top of the cake in a fan-like fashion to cover the whole surface of the cake.

    Pear cake with decoration before baking

    Mix one or two tablespoons of sugar with the cinnamon, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top of the pears.

    Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar

    Bake at 350°F or 180°C for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted inside comes out dry.

    Gently open the springform pan and cool down the cake completely before slicing it and serving it.

    Pear cake with cinnamon and fresh pears

    It's delicious on its own or with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream.

    Pear cake on a plate with ice cream

    Variations

    Chocolate chip pear cake

    pear cake chocolate chips

    Add ⅓ cup of dark chocolate chips and get an extra indulgent and chocolate-infused pear cake.

    Apple cake

    baked vegan apple cake

    Do you know you can make the exact cake but with apples? The result is a delicious, soft, crowd-pleasing apple cake that everyone will devour and ask for seconds.

    Check out our apple cake recipe.

    Blueberry cake

    blueberry cake with fresh blueberries

    You can even use the same cake batter for baking a lemon blueberry cake. In this one, we add a little lemon juice and lemon zest instead of cinnamon, which is terrific.

    The blueberries pop in the oven and color the cake purple, infusing it with berry flavor and making it extra moist and delicious.

    Storage

    Store cake at room temperature under a cake dome, wrapped in foil or plastic to keep the pear cake soft for up to 4 days.

    You can also freeze the cake for up to 3 months. Let it cool down completely, transfer it into a freezer-friendly container, and freeze it.

    More recipes with fruit

    For more fruity desserts and treats, take some inspiration from these wholesome dessert favorites:

    • Easy fruit tart with homemade pie crust and a fruit-packed topping
    • Super easy baked pears made with just 4 ingredients, a quick and healthy treat
    • Baked apples with cinnamon sugar and walnuts
    • Overnight oats with grated apple and almonds
    • Baked apples with ice cream
      Baked apples
    • fruit tart with custard, strawberries and blueberries
      Fruit tart
    • baked pears
      Baked Pears
    • authentic bircher muesli
      Bircher Muesli

    More holiday recipes

    When cold weather and the holiday season are upon us, we cook these sweet and savory recipes on repeat:

    • Easy vanilla custard with 5 easy-to-find ingredients, ready in 10 minutes!
    • Vegan carrot cake: a light and airy cake with cinnamon and nutmeg, perfect for Christmas and Thanksgiving celebrations
    • Irresistible cinnamon buns with brioche dough and cinnamon-sugar filling
    • Vegan pancakes: perfect for brunch and Sunday breakfasts

    Or these savory recipes that make excellent side dishes:

    • Roasted brussels sprouts with a creamy maple syrup-dressing
    • Tender roasted sweet potatoes: 3 easy ideas for baking sweet potatoes
    • Green bean salad with feta, fresh tomatoes, and creamy mustard dressing
    • Microwave sweet potatoes: a 5-minute recipe with easy toppings for weekday and holiday occasions
    • vegan custard
      Vegan custard (pastry cream)
    • vegan carrot cake
      Vegan Carrot Cake
    • Vegan cinnamon rolls with icing
      Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
    • vegan pancakes with maple syrup
      Vegan Pancakes
    • Roasted sprouts with lemon and dressing
      Roasted Brussels Sprouts
    • Roasted sweet potatoes on white platter
      Roasted Sweet Potatoes
    • microwave sweet potato
      Microwave Sweet Potato
    • green bean salad
      Green Bean Salad

    Recipe

    pear cake with pear slices of top

    Pear Cake

    Author: Nico
    Our pear cake is soft, moist, fruity, and easy to make. You only need 7 simple ingredients to make this pear-packed dessert.
    It's perfect as a snack, breakfast, or dessert for a special occasion. Try it, and you won't have pear cake any other way!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
    5 from 3 votes
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 50 mins
    Total Time 1 hr
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American Italian
    Servings 10 slices
    Calories 267 kcal

    Equipment

    • Springform pan or cake pan (diameter from 8.5 to 9 inches or from 21 cm to 23cm). We use 8.5 inch/21 cm.
    • Whisk or electric mixer.

    Ingredients
     
     

    Wet Ingredients

    • 1 cup milk we use unsweetened soy milk
    • ¾ cup sugar
    • ¼ cup vegetable oil we use canola or sunflower oil
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract optional

    Dry Ingredients

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 tablespoon baking powder
    • 1 pound pears

    For the top

    • 3 small pears
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 2 tablespoon sugar

    Instructions
     

    MAKE THE CAKE BATTER

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F or 180°C. Line a springform pan or cake pan with parchment paper (sides and bottom).
      To a large mixing bowl, add the wet ingredients and whisk well.
      milk and sugar in a bowl
    • Sift in the all-purpose flour and baking powder and whisk until combined.
      Make sure lumps are gone but don't overmix the batter.
      mix all ingredients for the pear cake
    • Cut 1 pound of pears (about 450 grams) into four pieces lengthwise.
      Core them then chop them into small chunks and add them to the cake batter. Keep the peel on.
      Pear slices in the cake batter
    • Stir the pears in the batter with a spatula, then pour the batter into the springform pan.
      cake batter for the pear cake

    MAKE THE TOP

    • Cut 3 small pears in half and remove their core with a teaspoon (we use a US measuring teaspoon).
      Cut the half pears into thin slices.
      pear slices to decorate the cake
    • Arrange the slices on top of the cake in a fan-like fashion to cover the whole surface of the cake.
      Pear cake with decoration before baking
    • Mix one or two tablespoons of sugar with the cinnamon, then sprinkle on top of the pears.
      Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar
    • Bake at 350°F or 180°C for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted inside comes out dry.
      Gently open the springform pan and cool down the cake completely before slicing it and serving it.
      Pear cake with cinnamon and fresh pears
    • It's delicious on its own or with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream.
      Pear cake on a plate with ice cream

    Video Recipe

    Got leftovers Pears? Make this Easy Pear Cake!

    Notes

    Nutrition information is an estimate for 1 slice of pear cake out of 10 slices.

    Nutritional Values

    Nutrition Facts
    Pear Cake
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 267 Calories from Fat 54
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 6g9%
    Saturated Fat 1g6%
    Trans Fat 0g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
    Monounsaturated Fat 1g
    Cholesterol 0mg0%
    Potassium 284mg8%
    Carbohydrates 51g17%
    Dietary Fiber 4g17%
    Sugar 26g29%
    Protein 4g8%
    Vitamin A 73IU1%
    Vitamin B6 0.05mg3%
    Vitamin C 4mg5%
    Vitamin E 1mg7%
    Vitamin K 13µg12%
    Calcium 96mg10%
    Folate 52µg13%
    Iron 2mg11%
    Manganese 0.3mg15%
    Magnesium 16mg4%
    Zinc 0.3mg2%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you like this recipe?We are not much on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Leave us a comment below instead, it would mean the world to us 🙂

    If you liked this pear cake, you might also enjoy:

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      43 Plant-Based Desserts
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      28 Best Fall Recipes | Dinner + Lunch
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      Best Vegan Cake Recipes
    « Lemon blueberry pound cake
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marilyn

      February 14, 2023 at 9:44 pm

      Good afternoon,
      WOW, I'm not vegan but I found your recipe and am glad I did! I made this today and, I must say that it is fantastic! Here are the few changes that I had to make because some ingredients I did not have available: I used 2 cans of unsweetened pears (no skin), and for the oil, I used melted coconut (at first I was concerned because once I melted it and then added it to the rest of the wet mix, it solidified, bummer!), I also added 2 tablespoons of vanilla instead of one (love the flavor). I've saved the juice from the pears and might make a powdered sugar glaze with it...if the cake lasts that long. My HoneyLove loved it!!! And although I made these few changes, it was still DELICIOUS!!! I will make this again! I've tried to add pictures but somehow, couldn't, anyhow, thanks for the recipe! I will try some of the others that you have listed on your site, thanks again. Blessings!

      Reply
      • Louise

        February 15, 2023 at 6:12 am

        Hi Marilyn,
        Thank you so much for your valuable comment and tips! I absolutely love the idea of the leftover canned pear juice with powdered sugar as a glaze. I wonder if you had cake leftovers to test that? 😉
        There is really no better feedback than our food being shared, and appreciated by families - we're super happy that the cake was a hit.
        Thanks again for leaving a message, and have an amazing rest of your week. All the best,
        Louise

        Reply
    2. Lenka

      February 11, 2023 at 12:53 pm

      It is in the oven as we speak!! Also taking longer to bake - but I think it’s because the spring form is smaller so it’s taller and therefore takes longer to bake through. Hope it turns out well!

      Reply
      • Louise Valentin

        February 11, 2023 at 1:47 pm

        Oh that's exciting, Lenka!!
        Please let me know how it turns out (and what you think).
        Thank youuuu 🙂 Kindest,
        Louise

        Reply
    3. Emtee

      December 15, 2022 at 6:45 am

      5 stars
      I made this with half whole wheat flour and half white flour. I used unsweetened almond milk. It was super watery at the suggested time so I left it for an extra thirty minutes and it turned out great!

      Reply
      • Nico

        December 16, 2022 at 2:41 pm

        Hi Emtee, thanks so much for your feedback. That's so interesting. We baked this cake several times, and it was always done in around 50 minutes. I am not sure what could have gone wrong. Happy it turned out well with some extra baking time.

        Reply
    4. Lu

      November 14, 2022 at 6:36 pm

      5 stars
      I made this yesterday and my non-vegan family loved it!

      Reply
      • Nico

        November 15, 2022 at 5:59 am

        Yubeee, I'm delighted to hear Lu!! Thanks so much for coming back to share that! Have a great week. Cheers, Nico

        Reply

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