Are you ready to transform your kitchen into a bakery of dreams? This irresistible Apple or Pear Cake is about to become your new obsession! Imagine a moist, tender cake bursting with fresh fruit, filling your home with an aroma so divine that everyone will be rushing to the kitchen. Whether you're a baking novice or a seasoned pro, this recipe promises to deliver a showstopping dessert that looks like it came straight from a professional pastry shop – but with the warmth of homemade love.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 50 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups diced apples or pears
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the batter should be thick and smooth.
- Gently fold in the diced apples or pears with a spatula, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with the spatula to create an even surface.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. The top should be golden brown and spring back when lightly pressed.
- Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, you can serve the cake as is or dust it with powdered sugar for a decorative touch. Enjoy your delicious apple or pear cake!
Tips
- Choose ripe but firm fruits for the best texture and flavor. Slightly underripe apples or pears work best to prevent them from turning mushy during baking.
- Make sure your butter is truly softened but not melted - this ensures a perfectly creamy base for your cake.
- Don't overmix the batter! Mix just until the ingredients are combined to keep the cake tender and light.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients.
- To check if the cake is done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs, your cake is perfect!
- Let the cake cool completely before serving to allow the flavors to settle and the texture to become more defined.
- Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 65mg
