When you think of Thanksgiving desserts, what comes to mind? For many of us, it’s the classic pumpkin or apple pie. And while those are always wonderful, sometimes you want to add something new to the table.
This Gingerbread Pear Upside Down Cake is just the thing. It’s a beautiful and tasty addition to your holiday spread. It combines the warm spices of gingerbread with sweet, tender pears. It’s one of those Thanksgiving Baking Recipes that will have everyone asking for seconds.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, the flavor is incredible. The deep, rich taste of molasses and ginger in the cake batter is a fantastic match for the sweet, caramelized pears. It just tastes like the holidays, you know?
The aroma that fills your house while this cake bakes is reason enough to make it. It’s a warm, spicy, and comforting smell that will get everyone excited for dessert. It’s a key part of great Thanksgiving Food Ideas.
It’s also surprisingly easy to put together. The steps are straightforward, making it a great recipe for bakers of all skill levels. You do not need any fancy equipment or techniques to create a stunning dessert.
Plus, this cake looks so impressive. When you flip it over, the beautiful pattern of caramelized pears and walnuts is a real showstopper. Your guests will think you spent hours on it. We’ll keep how simple it was just between us.
This recipe is one of my favorite thanksgiving desserts because it feels both rustic and elegant at the same time. It is at home on a fancy dining table or served casually in the kitchen. It’s just that versatile.
Ingredients
Let’s talk about what you’ll need. The ingredients are simple and you might already have most of them in your pantry. This is one of those accessible Thanksgiving Desserts Recipes.
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large pears, peeled and sliced
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup warm water
- Ice cream, optional for serving
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to bake? Let’s walk through this process together. I promise it’s easier than it looks. Following these steps will give you one of the best Thanksgiving desserts ever.
Step 1: Prepare The Topping
First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Now, grab a 9 inch square baking pan. Pour the melted butter directly into the pan and swirl it around to coat the bottom evenly.
Sprinkle the chopped walnuts and the packed brown sugar over the butter. Try to get an even layer. This mixture will create a gooey, nutty caramel sauce as it bakes.
Next, arrange your peeled and sliced pears on top of the nut mixture. You can create a pretty pattern or just lay them in a single layer. The goal is to cover the bottom of the pan completely.
Step 2: Mix The Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, it’s time to cream the softened butter and sugar. Use an electric mixer if you have one. You want to beat them together until the mixture becomes light in color and fluffy in texture. This usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes.
This creaming process is important. It incorporates air into the batter, which helps make the cake light and tender. So do not rush this part. It’s a key step in many Thanksgiving Baking Recipes.
Once the butter and sugar are fluffy, beat in the room temperature egg until it’s fully combined. Then, add the molasses and mix well. Your mixture will look rich and dark.
Step 3: Combine The Dry Ingredients
In a separate, medium sized bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Mixing the dry ingredients separately ensures that the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Step 4: Make The Batter
Now it’s time to bring it all together. You are going to add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture alternately with the warm water. Start by adding about a third of the flour mixture and beat until just combined.
Then, add half of the warm water and mix again. Repeat this process, adding another third of the flour, the rest of the water, and finally the last of the flour mixture. Beat well after each addition, but be careful not to overmix.
Overmixing can make the cake tough. Just mix until you no longer see streaks of flour. This alternating method helps create a smooth, well incorporated batter without overworking the gluten.
Step 5: Assemble And Bake
Carefully spread the finished batter over the pears in your baking pan. Use a spatula to gently spread it into an even layer, making sure to reach all the corners. The batter will be thick.
Bake in your preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 to 40 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top will look golden brown and feel firm to the touch. This is a great addition to your list of Thanksgiving Food Ideas.
Step 6: Cool And Serve
Once the cake is out of the oven, let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. This is a very important step. If you try to flip it too soon, it might fall apart. If you wait too long, the caramel might stick to the pan.
After 10 minutes, place a serving plate upside down over the pan. With oven mitts, carefully and quickly flip the pan and plate together. Lift the pan away, and your beautiful pear upside down cake will be revealed.
This cake is best served warm. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top is highly recommended. It’s one of the most comforting Thanksgiving desserts you can imagine.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, storing them is easy. You can keep the cake at room temperature for up to two days. Make sure to cover it loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep it from drying out.
For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to five days. Place the cake in an airtight container or wrap it well. When you are ready to eat it, you can enjoy it cold or warm it up in the microwave for a few seconds.
I personally think it tastes just as good the next day. Sometimes the flavors have even more time to meld together. It makes for a lovely breakfast with a cup of coffee. Such a versatile part of our Thanksgiving Desserts Recipes collection.
Tips
Want to make sure your cake turns out great every time? Here are a few simple tips to help you along the way. Little details can make a big difference in Thanksgiving Baking Recipes.
Use pears that are ripe but still firm. Bosc or Anjou pears are great choices because they hold their shape well when baked. If your pears are too soft, they might turn to mush in the oven.
Make sure your egg is at room temperature. A room temperature egg will mix more evenly into the batter, creating a more uniform texture in the final cake. It is a small step that yields big results.
Do not be afraid to swap the walnuts for pecans if that is what you prefer or have on hand. Both nuts provide a nice crunch and flavor that complements the pears and gingerbread spices.
When you are spreading the batter over the pears, be gentle. You do not want to disturb the pretty pattern you created. A small offset spatula works really well for this task.
If you are worried about the cake sticking, you can run a knife around the edges of the pan before you flip it. This will help loosen it and ensure a clean release onto the serving plate.
Conclusion
So there you have it. A wonderful Gingerbread Pear Upside Down Cake that is sure to become a new holiday favorite. It is a fantastic alternative to the usual lineup of thanksgiving desserts.
With its warm spices, sweet fruit, and tender crumb, this cake is the definition of comfort food. It brings a special touch to your celebration without adding a lot of stress to your kitchen time.
I hope you and your family enjoy this recipe as much as mine does. Happy baking, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving full of good food and great company. This is truly one of the best Thanksgiving desserts to share.
FAQ
What Kind Of Pears Are Best For This Cake?
The best pears to use are ones that hold their shape during baking. I recommend Bosc or Anjou pears. They should be ripe for sweetness but still firm to the touch so they do not get mushy.
Can I Make This Dessert Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you absolutely can. You can bake the cake a day in advance. Store it covered at room temperature. Before serving, you can warm individual slices in the microwave for about 15 seconds to restore that fresh from the oven feel.
Can I Use A Different Sized Pan?
A 9 inch square pan is ideal, but a 9 inch round cake pan would also work well. If you use a different sized pan, you may need to adjust the baking time. A larger pan might require less time, while a smaller one might need more.
My Cake Stuck To The Pan. What Happened?
This can happen for two main reasons. You might have waited too long to invert the cake, allowing the caramel to cool and solidify too much. Or, the pan might not have been buttered enough. Always flip it after the 10 minute cooling period for the best results.
Can I Make This Recipe Gluten Free?
You can try substituting a gluten free all purpose baking flour blend that contains xanthan gum. The texture might be slightly different, but it should still be a delicious option for those with gluten sensitivities. It is a good way to adapt Thanksgiving desserts for everyone.
Gingerbread Pear Upside Down Cake
This Gingerbread Pear Upside Down Cake is a beautiful and tasty addition to your holiday spread. It combines the warm spices of gingerbread with sweet, tender pears for a comforting dessert.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Pour melted butter into a 9-inch square baking pan. Sprinkle with walnuts and brown sugar. Arrange pear slices on top.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 5-7 minutes.
- Beat in the egg until combined, then mix in the molasses.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
- Alternately add the dry ingredients and the warm water to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Carefully spread the batter evenly over the pears in the pan.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate. Serve warm, with ice cream if desired.
Notes
Use pears that are ripe but still firm, like Bosc or Anjou, as they hold their shape well when baked.
Ensure your egg is at room temperature to help it mix more evenly into the batter for a uniform texture.
You can easily swap walnuts for pecans if you prefer.
When inverting the cake, run a knife around the edges of the pan first to help ensure a clean release.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
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