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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://ellaeatsdaily.com/spiced-pear-upside-down-cake-recipe/