Imagine a dessert that captures the essence of fall in every single bite - a luxurious Apple Pear Cake that promises to transform your ordinary baking experience into an extraordinary culinary adventure! This isn't just another cake; it's a symphony of flavors where tender fruits dance with rich cream cheese frosting and are crowned with a decadent salted caramel drizzle. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a curious kitchen novice, this recipe will make you feel like a true pastry chef, impressing everyone from family gatherings to sophisticated dinner parties.
Prep Time: 25 mins
Cook Time: 50 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 apple, peeled and diced
- 1 pear, peeled and diced
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper, ensuring sides are well-coated to prevent sticking.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly combined and no lumps remain.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure even incorporation.
- Gradually fold the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, which can result in a dense cake.
- Gently fold in diced apple and pear, distributing fruit evenly throughout the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to create an even surface.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
- Remove cake from oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the cream cheese frosting, beat softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Once the cake is completely cooled, spread cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
- Drizzle salted caramel sauce in a decorative pattern over the frosted cake.
- Slice and serve at room temperature. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Tips
- Always use room temperature ingredients, especially butter and eggs, to ensure smooth and even mixing.
- Don't overmix the batter - mix just until ingredients are combined to keep the cake tender.
- Dice apples and pears into uniform, small pieces to ensure even distribution and consistent baking.
- Use a toothpick or cake tester to check doneness - it should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent the cream cheese from melting.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Cholesterol: 85mg
