Imagine a dessert that transports you straight to the rolling hills of Italy with just one bite - our Pear Cake with Grappa Sauce is that magical culinary journey! This elegant and decadent cake combines the delicate sweetness of ripe pears with a luxurious grappa-infused sauce that will make your taste buds dance. Whether you're looking to impress dinner guests or treat yourself to a sophisticated dessert, this recipe promises to elevate your baking game and bring a touch of Italian romance to your kitchen.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 50 mins
Total Time: 70 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups pears, peeled and diced
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup grappa
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon. Whisk these dry ingredients together until they are well mixed. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened 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 to ensure they are fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake light and fluffy.
- Fold in the diced pears gently with a spatula, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula for 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. Keep an eye on the cake towards the end of the baking time.
- Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cake is cooling, prepare the grappa sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/4 cup of grappa with 1/4 cup of sugar. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until it has slightly thickened. Remove from heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Once the cake is completely cooled, slice it into wedges and serve each slice drizzled with the warm grappa sauce.
- Enjoy your delicious Pear Cake with Grappa Sauce, a delightful Italian-inspired dessert perfect for any occasion!
Tips
- Choose ripe but firm pears for the best texture - varieties like Bosc or Anjou work wonderfully.
- Make sure your butter is truly softened but not melted for the perfect cake consistency.
- Don't overmix the batter; mix just until ingredients are combined to keep the cake light and tender.
- Use a toothpick test to ensure the cake is fully baked - it should come out clean with no wet batter.
- Let the cake cool completely before adding the grappa sauce to prevent sogginess.
- For an extra flavor boost, consider lightly toasting the cinnamon before adding it to the dry ingredients.
- If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, you can substitute the grappa with apple juice or vanilla extract.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 329kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
