« Recipe: Spiced Pear Cake »

Spiced Pear Cake

Adapted from Bake or Break

Yield: 12-16 servings

Ingredients

For the Cake

3 c all-purpose flour

2 t baking powder

1 t baking soda

1 1/2 t ground cinnamon

1/2 t salt

1/2 t ground cloves

1/4 t ground allspice

1/4 t freshly ground nutmeg

1 c unsalted butter, softened

1 c granulated sugar

1 c packed light brown sugar

4 large eggs

1 t vanilla extract

1 c sour cream

2 large pears, cut into small pieces (about 2 cups)

For the Glaze

4 oz cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 c confectioners sugar

1/2 t vanilla extract

1/2 t ground cinnamon

2-3 Tbsp milk

Pecans for decorating (optional)

Instructions

To make the cake:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Generously grease a 10 c Bundt pan

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, allspice and nutmeg. Set aside.

Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla.

Add flour mixture alternating with sour cream until just combined. Stir in pears with a spatula or wooden spoon.

Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a pick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove cake from pan onto wire rack to cool completely.

To make the glaze:

Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese, confectioners sugar, vanilla and cinnamon until smooth. Add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until glaze is pourable.

Poor glaze over cooled cake. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top, if using.  Allow glaze to set for 10-15 minutes before serving.