Ginger Spiced Upside-Down Pear Cake

Ginger Spiced Upside-Down Pear Cake RecipeMy fruit is the PEAR.  That’s right.  I was once told by an Ayurvedic physician that the fruit best suited to me is a pear.  I was pretty happy with that assessment, and in many ways it seemed right.  Ayurvedic medicine aside, ever since then I have considered pears to be MY official fruit.Ginger Spiced Upside-Down Pear Cake RecipeGinger Spiced Upside-Down Pear Cake RecipeSpring looms, yet citrus lingers along with other winter fruits in the produce department of my local market.  And while strolling the farmers market this past weekend, the stands that usually boast berries and stone fruits when in season, instead were heavy with oranges, tangerines, and grapefruits.   Less than enthused by most of the offerings, I did buy some outrageously sweet and juicy golden nugget mandarins that were so good I was tempted to buy tons for family and friends just because when I find something that good, I want everyone to taste it.  I reigned in my compulsive side and just brought home enough for me and H to enjoy.
Ginger Spiced Upside-Down Pear Cake RecipeGinger Spiced Upside-Down Pear Cake RecipeAlong with all the citrusy stuff going on at the market, apples and pears are still plentiful as well.  At the Whole Foods market near my home, I counted six varieties of pears alone, all of which I was familiar with except one stranger by the name of Forelle.  I have been eating pears for years – it’s my fruit after all – but I have never encountered the dainty Forelle.  Where have I been?  Looking all diminutive and red in its skin, I now refer to it as my three bite wonder.  I snatched up a dozen and headed for the kitchen.
Ginger Spiced Upside-Down Pear Cake RecipeSpring teased us away from the fireplace last week with temperatures in the eighties, but winter in Southern California hadn’t said its final piece and today’s weather is cold and dreary.  With a chill in the air I knew I wanted to bake my lot of pears into something warm and comforting but the first order of business was to taste this new friend and determine its texture and level of sweetness.  Pears are one fruit that I prefer to eat out of hand since their delicate flavor too often gets pushed to the background when cooked or baked.  I considered a tart, and a bar cookie , and even a humble pear pie, but once I happened upon an uncomplicated and homey pear upside-down cake recipe by Chef Elizabeth Falkner, my search was over.  I adapted her recipe to yield one large cake instead of two 9×5-inch snack cakes her directions instruct, and I added fresh grated ginger to further enliven the pears.  Fully aware of Chef Falkner’s reputation, I knew this cake was going to be good, but just how good surprised even me.  For my taste, upside-down cakes are most satisfying when the ratio of the caramelized  fruit topping is equally balanced with the cake, and in this cake it definitely is.  The addition of ginger danced in perfect rhythm with the pears and made for an all around satisfying dessert.
Ginger Spiced Upside-Down Pear Cake RecipeGinger Spiced Upside-Down Pear Cake Recipe

 

 

Source:  Adapted from a recipe by Elizabeth Falkner

 




One thought on “Ginger Spiced Upside-Down Pear Cake

  1. SoCal weather has definitely been a weird rollercoaster. There are hot days and then there are cold days! Haha~

    This cake looks GORGEOUS! Especially with all that pear. It must taste incredible!

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