Description

Pears are poached until soft in white wine and spices, then baked into a rich and fragrant gingerbread cake, perfect for an elegant afternoon tea or brunch.

Ingredients

Units Scale

3 Bosc pears, peeled with stems left on
1 bottle (750ml) white wine
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
3 cinnamon sticks
10 cardamom pods
12 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup molasses
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk

Instructions

In a large pot, combine the white wine, granulated sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, and cardamom pods. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Add the peeled pears to the boiling liquid. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes, or until the pears are tender. Remove the pears from the liquid and allow them to cool slightly.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan and set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the room temperature butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the molasses.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Pour the gingerbread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Gently place the poached pears upright into the batter, spacing them evenly apart.
Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake (avoiding the pears) comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For best results, use ripe but firm Bosc pears. The poaching liquid can be reduced and used as a syrup for serving. Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for added indulgence.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 115 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 350
Sugar: 30
Sodium: 250
Fat: 12
Carbohydrates: 55
Fiber: 3
Protein: 5
Cholesterol: 60