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Pear Gingerbread Upside Down Cake

This perfectly spiced Pear Gingerbread Upside Down Cake features a tender molasses crumb topped with jammy, caramelized fruit. A foolproof and deeply flavorful dessert perfect for the fall and winter holidays.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 2 firm Bosc pears peeled, cored, sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Gingerbread Batter
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1/2 cup unsulfured dark molasses
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger finely grated

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a 9-inch springform pan and wrap the outside tightly with aluminum foil to prevent leaks.
  2. Melt 1/4 cup of butter in a saucepan. Whisk in 1/2 cup dark brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon until dissolved. Pour evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
  3. Carefully arrange the peeled, sliced fruit in an overlapping circular pattern on top of the caramel.
  4. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg in a bowl to ensure spices are evenly distributed.
  5. Beat the softened butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy. Add the egg and beat until incorporated.
  6. Mix in the molasses and freshly grated ginger until smooth.
  7. Turn the mixer to low. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until no dry streaks remain.
  8. Pour batter over the fruit. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Let rest in the pan for exactly 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving platter.