Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons slivered almonds
- ⅓ cup plus 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons water
- 2 ripe but firm Bosc or D’Anjou pears
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 egg
- ⅔ cup flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- Whipped cream
- Nutritional Information
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)
285 calories; 9 grams fat; 5 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 3 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 48 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 33 grams sugars; 3 grams protein; 51 milligrams cholesterol; 44 milligrams sodium
Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.
6 servings
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an eight-inch round cake pan but do not use one with a removable bottom.
- Toast the almonds until lightly browned under the broiler, in a toaster oven or in a heavy ungreased skillet on the top of the stove. Set aside.
- Swirl one-third cup of the sugar with the water in a heavy saucepan or skillet until the sugar dissolves. Place over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture turns a uniform honey-brown color. Pour the caramel into the cake pan, tilting it so the caramel coats the bottom. Immediately scatter the almonds over the caramel.
- Peel and core the pears. Cut them into thin, uniform slices and arrange the slices, overlapping, in a pattern on top of the caramel and almonds.
- Cream the butter with one-half cup of sugar. Beat in the egg. Sift the flour and baking powder together and stir into the batter. Add the almond extract.
- Spread the batter over the pears in the cakepan. There will be a thin layer of batter. A spatula moistened in cold water will make spreading it easier.
- Place in preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, allow to cool for a minute or two, run a knife around the edge, then unmold onto a serving dish. If any of the topping clings to the pan, lift it off and replace it on the cake. Serve the cake while still warm with whipped cream.
About 1 hour
Dining and Cooking