Spiced Pear Upside Down Cake Recipe

Introduction

This Spiced Pear Upside Down Cake is a delightful twist on a classic dessert, combining warm spices with juicy pears for a cozy treat. Perfect for fall or any time you want a comforting, fruity cake that’s easy to make with a box mix.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 pears, peeled
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 package (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup softened butter
• 3 eggs

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place 1/4 cup butter in a 9-inch round cake pan and heat in the oven until the butter is melted.
2. Step 2: Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the melted butter in the pan.
3. Step 3: Peel the pears, cut them in half lengthwise, and remove the cores. Slice the pears lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick slices and place them in a large bowl.
4. Step 4: Sprinkle the pear slices with the pumpkin pie spice and gently toss to coat them evenly.
5. Step 5: Arrange the pear slices over the butter and brown sugar mixture in the cake pan, slightly overlapping them for full coverage.
6. Step 6: Prepare the cake batter according to the package directions using the water, softened butter, and eggs.
7. Step 7: Carefully spoon the prepared cake batter over the arranged pears in the pan, spreading it evenly.
8. Step 8: Bake the cake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Step 9: Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes on a wire rack, then carefully invert it onto a serving plate so the pear topping is on top.

Tips & Variations

• Use any yellow cake mix you prefer; just follow the package instructions for liquid and eggs.
• For extra moisture and flavor, substitute water with milk or add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the batter.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the pumpkin pie spice for a deeper spice flavor.
• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
• Try using ripe but firm pears to prevent too much softness during baking.

Storage

Store the leftover cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat slices gently in the microwave for about 20 seconds to enjoy warm pear topping and soft cake.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh spices instead of pumpkin pie spice?

Yes, you can mix your own blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves to replace the pumpkin pie spice if preferred.

What if I don’t have a 9-inch cake pan?

A similar sized round or even a square baking pan will work. Adjust the baking time slightly and check for doneness with a toothpick.

Spiced Pear Upside Down Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 133 reviews

This Spiced Pear Upside Down Cake is a delightful twist on a classic dessert, combining tender, spice-coated pear slices over a buttery brown sugar base with a moist yellow cake batter. Baked to perfection, it offers a warm, cozy flavor perfect for fall or any season, with the pears caramelizing beautifully under the cake. Easy to prepare with a boxed mix and aromatic pumpkin pie spice, this cake is sure to impress with its elegant presentation and comforting taste.

• Author: Ella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 60 minutes
• Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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Topping

• 1/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 pears, peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4″ thick
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Cake Batter

• 1 package (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup softened butter
• 3 eggs

Instructions

1. Prep the oven and pan: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place 1/4 cup butter in a 9-inch round cake pan and put it in the oven until the butter melts.
2. Create the caramel base: Once the butter is melted, evenly sprinkle 3/4 cup packed brown sugar over the butter in the pan.
3. Prepare the pears: Peel and core 2 pears, then cut each pear in half lengthwise. Slice each half again lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick slices. Place the slices in a large bowl.
4. Spice the pears: Sprinkle 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice over the pear slices. Toss gently to coat them evenly.
5. Arrange pears in pan: Neatly arrange the spiced pear slices over the butter and brown sugar mixture in the pan, slightly overlapping them in a single layer.
6. Make the cake batter: Prepare the cake batter according to the package instructions using 1 cup water, 1/3 cup softened butter, and 3 eggs.
7. Pour the batter: Carefully spoon the prepared cake batter evenly over the arranged pears in the pan, making sure not to disturb the fruit layer.
8. Bake the cake: Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F for about 45 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake; it should come out clean.
9. Cool and invert: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Then, carefully invert the cake onto a serving plate so the pear topping is on top.

Notes

• This recipe uses a Betty Crocker Super Moist Butter Recipe Yellow cake mix, but any yellow cake mix can be used—adjust the liquid and eggs per package instructions.
• The pumpkin pie spice complements the pears perfectly, adding warmth and depth to the flavor.
• Use ripe but firm pears for the best texture—they should hold shape without becoming mushy.
• For a diabetic-friendly version, substitute brown sugar with a brown sugar alternative and use a sugar-free yellow cake mix.
• This cake pairs wonderfully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Ensure the butter is fully melted before adding brown sugar to allow even caramelization.
• You can experiment with additional spices or add-ins like caramel pieces or nuts for extra texture.

Keywords: spiced pear upside down cake, pear cake, upside down cake, fall dessert, pumpkin pie spice, easy cake recipe, yellow cake mix dessert, caramelized pear cake