Spiced Pear & Vanilla Bean Holiday Cake
Warm your home this winter with the delightful aroma of Spiced Pear & Vanilla Bean Holiday Cake. This tender, moist cake combines the natural sweetness of ripe pears with the rich essence of vanilla bean, creating a comforting dessert perfect for festive gatherings. Each bite offers a nostalgic journey reminiscent of cherished family moments, making it an instant holiday favorite. Serve it warm with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream for an unforgettable treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 12 slices 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.5 tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 cups diced ripe pears (Bartlett or Bosc)
- Seeds from 2 vanilla beans (or 2 tbsp vanilla extract)
- 0.5 cup whole milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
- In a mixing bowl, melt the butter and add sugar, stirring until blended.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla bean seeds.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Gradually combine the dry ingredients with the wet mixture along with milk until just mixed.
- Gently fold in the diced pears.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (85g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: For added flavor, consider sautéing pears in butter before adding them to the batter. You can substitute pears with apples or peaches for a different twist. To enhance flavors, sprinkle sea salt on top before baking.