Pear Cake with Cinnamon Sugar

This super-easy cake is laced with cinnamon and sugar and topped with ripe pears.

It’s perfect for holiday entertaining or Christmas morning.

But dont save it only for special occasions.

Pear cake on a white plate.

Sally Vargas

This pear cake comes together so easily, youll want to make it every night of the week!

I am guessing the origin of this cake is German.

When I ventured from apples into the land of pears, I was pleasantly surprised.

Pear cake with slices out on a plate.

Sally Vargas

I am now a convert!

Pears turn soft, almost creamy when they bake.

My husband swore there was custard involved, but as you will see, there is not!

Slice of homemade pear cake on a plate with a fork.

Sally Vargas

A Riff on Grandma’s Apple Cake

My mother called this cake Grandmothers Apple Cake.

I always assumed it wasmygrandmothers cake, but then it dawned on me that it washergrandmothers recipe.

Who really knows how many generations back it actually goes?

Flour in the food processor.

Sally Vargas

Mom did not enjoy (understatement!)

What Is the Best Pan for This Cake?

What Are the Best Pears for This Cake?

Pear cake batter in the food processor.

Sally Vargas

I usually use Anjou pears since they are easy to find and work well.

Can You Make This Cake Ahead?

The $64,000 question always is, can I make it ahead?

Sliced pears on a cutting board.

Sally Vargas

Im sorry to disappoint you, but this cake is best eaten on the day it is made.

Eat Cake for Breakfast!

This cake is so easy, my mom often made it for breakfast on the spur of the moment.

Easy Pear cake batter in a fluted tart tin with sliced pears partially arranged on top

Sally Vargas

Its such a quick cake to make; it brings joy to any non-occasion with its simplicity and deliciousness.

Need More Cake in Your Life?

Preheat the oven to 400F.

Easy Pear cake in a fluted tart tin with sliced pears arranged on top

Sally Vargas

Butter a 9-inch cake pan or a 9-inch fluted tart tin with a removable rim.

Dust with flour and tap out the excess.

Add the butter pieces and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal.

Pear coffee cake in a fluted tart tin dusted with cinnamon and sugar

Sally Vargas

In a measuring cup, lightly beat the milk, egg, and vanilla with a fork until blended.

Add to the bowl of the food processor and process until the dough is smooth.

Use a melon baller to cut out the cores and remove the stem ends.

Friendsgiving dinner table

Slice the halves into 1/4-inch-thick slices.

in a small bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon until combined.

Sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar.

Yasmin Fahr cookbook

Let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes.

Set the pan on top of a small bowl and let the rim drop away.

Cut into slices from the pan and serve warm or at room temperature.

Okay to charge guests at a potluck?

A dollop of whipped cream is always a nice touch.

Is it rude not to bring food to a potluck?

Who gets to serve themselves first?

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Side view of a flaky spring pie on a large blue platter. One slice of the pie is missing and the cheesy artichoke filling is visible on the plate. The lower left has a pile of forks on a white plate. A grey linen tablecloth is on the table and a glass is in the upper left corner.