Best 6 Pear And Cranberry Upside Down Cake Recipes

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**Tantalize your taste buds with our delectable Pear and Cranberry Upside-Down Cake, a symphony of sweet and tangy flavors.** This delightful dessert features a caramelized pear and cranberry topping nestled atop a moist and fluffy cake base. The combination of sweet pears, tart cranberries, and a hint of warm spices creates a flavor profile that is both comforting and exciting. With its stunning presentation and irresistible taste, this upside-down cake is sure to be the star of any gathering. Explore our collection of recipes, including a classic version made with fresh pears and cranberries, a gluten-free variation for those with dietary restrictions, and a unique twist using canned pears and dried cranberries. Embark on a culinary journey and discover the perfect Pear and Cranberry Upside-Down Cake recipe to satisfy your sweet cravings.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

UPSIDE-DOWN PEAR CRANBERRY TART



Upside-Down Pear Cranberry Tart image

I like this dessert because I like most upside-down things. This rustic tart with a circle of pears gets its origins from the French apple tart Tatin, and can be a beautiful alternative to classic American apple pie. This dessert feels more like cooking than baking; you don't even need a pie tin. And if you feel like it, you can just use premade dough. P.S. Caramel is not as scary as it's made out to be, as long as you don't touch it.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     dessert

Time 2h5m

Yield One 9-inch pie

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 1/2 pounds (about 5) hard Anjou or Bosc pears, peeled, cored and quartered
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Juice from 1 lemon (2 to 3 tablespoons)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup dried cranberries
2 tablespoons finely chopped crystalized ginger
All-purpose flour, for dusting
1 Pie Crust, recipe follows, or 2 refrigerated store-bought crusts, rolled together
Creme fraiche, for serving, optional
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 stick cold butter, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
4 to 5 tablespoons ice water

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Toss the pears, nutmeg and half of the lemon juice together in a bowl.
  • Melt the butter with the remaining lemon juice, the salt and 3 tablespoons water in a heavy ovenproof 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the sugar into the skillet and stir to combine. Cook the mixture without stirring, letting it foam and bubble; the butter will separate, which is OK. Watch the mixture carefully while it cooks because once the water evaporates and the sugar begins to change color, things happen quickly. When it becomes the color of light brown sugar, about 10 minutes, remove it from the heat. Stir in the vanilla.
  • Being careful not to burn yourself, sprinkle the cranberries and ginger into the caramel. Arrange the pears in the skillet round side-down in concentric circles as nicely as you can, fitting in as many pears as possible.
  • Return the skillet to the burner over medium heat and cook until the pears start to soften when you poke them with a knife, 10 to 15 minutes.
  • While your pears cook, roll out your Pie Crust on a flour-dusted surface to an 11-inch circle. Cover the crust with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
  • Lay the crust over the pears, tucking it in around the edge of the skillet with a wooden spoon. Bake until the crust is golden brown and firm to the touch, about 30 minutes.
  • Allow the tart to cool until you can handle it, about 10 minutes. Put a plate on top of the tart using heatproof pads and flip it over so the pears are on top. Slice and serve warm with creme fraiche, if using.
  • Combine the flour, sugar, salt and butter in a food processor and pulse until the butter is evenly distributed but still visible in chunks. While pulsing, add the ice water 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough is just wet enough to hold together when pinched between your fingers. Turn the dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap, form into a disc and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.

ALICE WATERS'S CRANBERRY UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE



Alice Waters's Cranberry Upside-Down Cake image

This recipe requires a little extra effort - you have to whip the egg whites separately and then fold them into the batter - but the reward is a light, ethereal cake topped with glistening, caramelized cranberries. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream, and prepare yourself for accolades.

Provided by R. W. Apple Jr.

Categories     cakes, dessert

Time 1h

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
9 ounces (2 2/3 cups) fresh cranberries
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs, separated
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. To prepare topping: Put butter and brown sugar in a 9-inch round cake pan, and put it in the oven. As the sugar dissolves, stir to distribute the mixture evenly over the pan. When the sugar starts to caramelize, remove pan from the oven and allow to cool.
  • In a small bowl, combine cranberries and orange juice. Toss to coat berries well. Spread berries evenly in pan, and sprinkle with any juice remaining in bowl. Set pan aside, and prepare the cake batter.
  • To prepare batter: In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
  • Using an electric mixer, cream butter with sugar until pale, light and fluffy. Add vanilla, and beat in egg yolks one at a time, scraping bowl once or twice. Add flour mixture alternately with milk, ending with dry ingredients. Set batter aside.
  • Using electric mixer, whisk egg whites with cream of tartar just until whites are stiff enough to hold a slight peak. Fold whites into batter 1/3 at a time. Spoon batter into prepared pan, and spread it evenly over cranberries. Bake until top is browned and cake pulls away slightly from edges of pan, 25 to 35 minutes. Let cake cool for 15 minutes before turning onto cake plate. Serve with slightly sweetened whipped cream, flavored, if desired, with orange liqueur.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 432, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 62 grams, Fat 19 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 12 grams, Sodium 193 milligrams, Sugar 41 grams, TransFat 1 gram

CRANBERRY UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE



Cranberry Upside-Down Cake image

Sweetened whipped cream is the perfect accompaniment to this slightly spicy dessert. The topping is made by simply baking cranberries placed in a layer over sugar and spices at the bottom of the pan. As the cake bakes, the sugar caramelizes, forming a rich syrup.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cake Recipes

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 11

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1 3/4 cups cranberries
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees with rack in center. Rub the bottom and sides of an 8-inch round cake pan with 2 tablespoons butter. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup sugar with the cinnamon and allspice. Sprinkle mixture evenly over bottom of pan; arrange cranberries in a single layer on top.
  • With an electric mixer, cream remaining 6 tablespoons butter and 1/2 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat until well combined. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture to butter mixture in three batches, alternating with the milk, until well combined.
  • Spoon batter over cranberries in pan, and smooth top. Place pan on a baking sheet; bake cake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Run a knife around edge of cake; invert onto a rimmed platter.

PEAR-CRANBERRY UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE



Pear-Cranberry Upside-Down Cake image

Serve a scoop of Spice Ice Cream alongside this upside-down cake for a delicious fall dessert.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cake Recipes

Yield Makes one 10-inch cake

Number Of Ingredients 13

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 3/4 cups firmly packed light-brown sugar
3 firm but ripe pears, such as Anjou
Juice of 1 lemon
1 cup cranberries
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger
3 large eggs
1 cup milk, room temperature
Spice Ice Cream

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine 6 tablespoons butter and 3/4 cup brown sugar in a medium skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until melted and thoroughly combined, about 6 minutes. Pour into a 10-by-2-inch professional round cake pan.
  • Peel pears, core, and slice into 1/2-inch-thick wedges. Coat with lemon juice, and arrange on top of brown-sugar mixture in a spiral pattern around edge of pan. Fan out slices in center. Sprinkle 1/2 cup cranberries over pears, and set aside.
  • Sift flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and ginger together in a medium bowl, and set aside. Combine remaining 6 tablespoons of butter with remaining cup brown sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer, and beat until well combined. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Add milk alternately with flour mixture, beginning and ending with four; beat until smooth. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup cranberries; pour over fruit in pan. Bake until a tester inserted in the center of cake comes out clean, about 40 minutes.
  • Transfer to a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes. Run a knife around edges and invert onto a serving platter. Serve with spice ice cream.

UPSIDE-DOWN PEAR GINGERBREAD CAKE



Upside-Down Pear Gingerbread Cake image

The aroma of baking gingerbread stirs up such warm memories. This cake looks festive and is even on the lighter side. -Nancy Beckman, Helena, Montana

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 50m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 17

3 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 medium Bosc pears, peeled and thinly sliced
CAKE:
1/2 cup 2% milk
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 large egg, room temperature
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup molasses
1/4 cup butter, melted
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Whipped cream, optional

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; stir in brown sugar. Spread over bottom of a greased 9-in. round baking pan. Arrange pears over top., For cake, mix milk and vinegar; let stand 5 minutes. In a large bowl, beat egg, brown sugar, molasses, melted butter and milk mixture until well blended. In another bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, baking soda, ginger, salt and cloves; gradually beat into molasses mixture. Spoon carefully over pears., Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate. Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped cream, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 331 calories, Fat 11g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 51mg cholesterol, Sodium 348mg sodium, Carbohydrate 56g carbohydrate (37g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

PEAR CAKE WITH SOUR CREAM TOPPING



Pear Cake with Sour Cream Topping image

This is a great way to combine bread and fruit for an all-in-one breakfast. The cake is very tasty and the unique topping is simply delicious.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 50m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
3 large eggs, lightly beaten, room temperature
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup 2% milk
1 can (29 ounces) pear halves, drained
TOPPING:
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and lemon zest; mix well. In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. , Spread batter into a greased 13x9-in. or 3-qt. baking dish. Slice pear halves; arrange slices in rows on top of batter. Mix topping ingredients until smooth; spread over pears. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 30-35 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 218 calories, Fat 10g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 66mg cholesterol, Sodium 282mg sodium, Carbohydrate 29g carbohydrate (17g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

Tips:

  • For the perfect upside-down cake, make sure to use a heavy bottomed skillet that is oven safe. This will help to evenly distribute the heat and prevent the cake from burning.
  • When making the caramel sauce, be sure to cook it slowly and stir constantly. This will help to prevent the sugar from burning.
  • Once the caramel sauce is done, pour it into the skillet immediately. This will help to prevent it from hardening.
  • Arrange the pear and cranberry slices in a single layer on top of the caramel sauce. Make sure not to overcrowd the skillet, or the cake will not cook evenly.
  • When making the cake batter, be sure to mix it well, but do not overmix. Overmixing can make the cake tough.
  • Pour the cake batter over the pears and cranberries in the skillet. Be careful not to stir the batter, or you will mix the fruit into the batter.
  • Bake the cake according to the recipe instructions. Once the cake is done, let it cool for a few minutes before inverting it onto a serving plate.

Conclusion:

This pear and cranberry upside-down cake is a delicious and easy-to-make dessert that is perfect for any occasion. The combination of sweet pears, tart cranberries, and rich caramel sauce is sure to please everyone. With its stunning presentation, this cake is sure to be a hit at your next party or gathering. So next time you are looking for a special dessert, give this pear and cranberry upside-down cake a try. You won't be disappointed.

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