Spicy Pear French Cake
This Spicy Pear French Cake is one of those recipes I keep coming back to every fall. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and spiced, with juicy pears baked right into a soft, buttery cake. Nothing fancy, just simple and really good.
I’ve always loved a good French-style cake. I have found them to be a nice balance between refined and easy to make, and they always come out delicious! This one has a combination of allspice and buttery pears, which bake into a moist cake that tastes just as good the next day (if it lasts that long!). What I love most about this cake is that it uses simple ingredients to make something seriously impressive!
Why We Love This Spicy Pear French Cake Recipe
- Simple yet elegant. This cake looks like it came from a French patisserie, but the ingredient list is refreshingly short and straightforward. You can whip it up in under an hour from start to finish.
- Perfectly moist. Melted butter, almond flour, and juicy pears give this cake a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that keeps it moist for days.
- Warm and spiced. A touch of allspice adds cozy depth that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the pears. It’s like fall in cake form!
Ingredients You Need
- Pears: Any variety will work! Bartletts, Bosc, or Anjou are my go-tos for this spiced pear cake. You’ll cube half for the batter and slice the rest thinly for the topping.
- Eggs: Provide structure and richness. Whisking them well gives the cake that classic light crumb.
- Sugar: Regular granulated sugar works great here.
- Butter: Melted butter creates a rich flavor and moist texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a depth of flavor.
- Milk: Helps thin out the batter just enough for that tender, not-too-dense crumb.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base structure of the cake. Sift it for a lighter texture.
- Almond Flour: Adds nutty depth and extra softness that pairs beautifully with the pears.
- Baking Powder: Gives the cake a gentle lift so it’s light but not airy.
- Allspice: A single teaspoon brings subtle warmth, think cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove all in one.
- Sliced Almonds: Sprinkled on top for a little crunch and a pretty golden finish.
- Extra Sugar: For a sweet, crackly topping that caramelizes as the cake bakes!
Variations & Substitutions
- Different Fruit: Try apples instead of pears for a classic fall twist, or use a mix of the two for extra flavor. Stone fruits like peaches or plums also work beautifully in summer.
- Nut-Free: Swap the almond flour for the same amount of all-purpose flour. The texture will be slightly different but still soft and tender.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free all purpose flour that has a 1:1 ratio to regular flour! Keep the almond flour in there, too.
How to Make Spiced Pear French Cake
- Preheat: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan.
- Prep the Pears: Peel, core, and chop 2 pears into small cubes. Set aside. Slice the remaining 2 pears thinly for the decorative topping.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add the melted butter, vanilla extract, and milk; whisk until smooth.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, sift together the flour, almond flour, baking powder, and allspice.
- Mix Wet & Dry Ingredients: Gently fold the dry mixture into the wet until just combined. Stir in the chopped pears.
- Assemble: Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Arrange the sliced pears on top. Sprinkle the surface with sugar and almond flakes.
- Bake: Bake for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool & Enjoy: Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temp.
Tips for Success
- Use ripe but firm pears. You want pears that are fragrant and slightly soft when pressed. If they are too ripe, they’ll turn mushy. If too firm, and they won’t melt into the cake properly.
- Don’t overmix the batter. Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, fold gently until just incorporated. Overmixing can make the cake dense instead of tender!
- Arrange the pears nicely on top. This cake’s beauty comes from those thin pear slices fanning across the top. Take a minute to arrange them evenly, it’s worth the extra effort!
- Let it cool before slicing. As tempting as it is to cut into it warm, giving the cake at least 10 to 15 minutes to cool helps it set and slice neatly without crumbling.
Serving Suggestions
This spicy pear French cake can be served all on its own, but you can also serve it with toppings to make it even better! I love it slightly warm with a dusting of powdered sugar and a dollop of lightly whipped cream or crème fraîche.
For an afternoon treat, pair your French pear cake with espresso or a pot of tea. If you’re serving it as dessert after dinner, a drizzle of salted caramel or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream would be delicious!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! If using canned pears, choose ones packed in juice (not syrup) and drain them well before chopping. For frozen pears, thaw and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
For the best texture, yes. Pear skins can become a bit tough once baked, especially if you’re using firm varieties. A quick peel makes for a smoother, softer bite.
Check it around the 35 minute mark. The top should be golden, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
This cake keeps well for about 3 to 4 days at room temperature when stored in an airtight container. If your kitchen is warm, you can refrigerate it instead, it’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days. It freezes well too, just wrap slices tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
More Cake Recipes to Try
Easy Spiced Pear French Cake
Ingredients
- 4 pears any variety (divided)
- 3 eggs
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 stick ½ cup butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup almond flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp allspice
- 2 tbsp sliced almonds for topping
- 1 tbsp sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan.
- Peel, core, and chop 2 pears into small cubes. Set aside.
- Slice the remaining 2 pears thinly for the decorative topping.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until pale and fluffy.
- Add the melted butter, vanilla extract, and milk; whisk until smooth.
- In another bowl, sift together the flour, almond flour, baking powder, and allspice.
- Gently fold the dry mixture into the wet until just combined.
- Stir in the chopped pears.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Arrange the sliced pears on top.
- Sprinkle the surface with sugar and almond flakes.
- Bake for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temp.
