10 Delicious Pear Cake Ideas Perfect for Fall Baking
Fall brings the sweetest, juiciest pears that transform into incredible cakes bursting with warm spices and cozy flavors. These tender, moist cakes capture autumn’s essence perfectly.
From classic spiced versions to creative upside-down treats, these pear cakes offer something special for every baker and occasion this season.
01. Creamy Sour Cream Pear Cake
Incredibly moist cake featuring fresh pears, warm spices, and tangy sour cream. This simple recipe delivers bakery-quality results with minimal effort required.
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup sour cream, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 2 medium pears (diced), 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ½ cup chopped pecans, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt.
How To Make Creamy Sour Cream Pear Cake
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan thoroughly. Peel and dice the pears into small, uniform pieces to ensure even distribution throughout the cake batter.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and ginger in a large bowl. In another bowl, beat both sugars, sour cream, oil, and eggs until smooth and well combined.
3. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Gently stir in diced pears and chopped pecans, being careful not to overmix the batter.
4. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
02. Rich Brown Butter Pear Cake
Elegant pear cake elevated with nutty brown butter and crunchy walnuts. The brown butter icing adds incredible depth and richness to every bite.
Ingredients: 2½ cups all-purpose flour, 1¼ cups sugar, ½ cup butter, 3 large eggs, 1 cup milk, 2 ripe pears (chopped), ¾ cup walnuts (chopped), 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ cup butter (for icing), 1½ cups powdered sugar.
How To Make Rich Brown Butter Pear Cake
1. Brown ½ cup butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, swirling constantly until it turns golden and smells nutty. Let cool completely before using in the cake batter.
2. Beat cooled brown butter with sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with flour.
3. Fold in chopped pears and walnuts gently. Pour into greased bundt pan and bake at 350°F for 45-50 minutes until golden and pulling slightly from sides.
4. For icing, brown remaining ¼ cup butter until golden. Whisk in powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons milk until smooth. Drizzle over completely cooled cake.
5. Let icing set for 15 minutes before slicing. The brown butter flavor intensifies as the cake sits, making it even more delicious the next day.
03. Decadent Chocolate Pear Spice Cake
Sophisticated cake combining rich chocolate with tender pears and warm holiday spices. Orange zest adds a bright note that perfectly balances the deep flavors.
Ingredients: 1¾ cups flour, ¾ cup cocoa powder, 1½ cups sugar, 2 eggs, 1 cup buttermilk, ½ cup oil, 2 pears (diced), 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon cloves, 1 tablespoon orange zest, 1½ teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt.
How To Make Decadent Chocolate Pear Spice Cake
1. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt, and all spices in a large bowl. Zest the orange directly over the dry ingredients to capture the aromatic oils.
2. Whisk sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and oil in another bowl until smooth. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined without overmixing.
3. Gently fold in diced pears, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter. The fruit adds moisture and subtle sweetness to complement the chocolate.
4. Pour into greased 9×13 pan and bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes. Test doneness with a toothpick – it should come out with a few moist crumbs attached.
5. Cool completely before serving. This cake actually improves in flavor after sitting overnight, as the spices meld beautifully with the chocolate and pear.
04. Simply Sweet Fresh Pear Cake
Pure and simple cake that showcases perfectly ripe pears with minimal added flavoring. The natural sweetness of the fruit truly shines through in every slice.
Ingredients: 2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, ½ cup butter (softened), 3 eggs, ¾ cup milk, 3 large ripe pears (sliced), ½ cup chopped almonds, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla, ½ teaspoon salt.
How To Make Simply Sweet Fresh Pear Cake
1. Choose perfectly ripe pears that yield slightly to pressure but aren’t mushy. Peel and slice them into thin, even pieces for the most elegant presentation.
2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla, ensuring each addition is fully incorporated.
3. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
4. Gently fold in pear slices and chopped almonds. Pour into greased 9-inch springform pan, arranging some pear slices decoratively on top if desired.
5. Bake at 350°F for 50-55 minutes until golden and pulling slightly from edges. Serve warm with cream or enjoy cold with tea for different flavor experiences.
05. Rustic Pear Upside-Down Graham Cake
Unique upside-down cake made with wholesome graham flour and aromatic spices. The beautiful pear arrangement creates a stunning presentation when inverted.
Ingredients: 1½ cups graham flour, ½ cup all-purpose flour, ¾ cup brown sugar, ⅓ cup butter, 2 eggs, ¾ cup milk, 3 pears (sliced), ¼ cup butter (for topping), ⅓ cup brown sugar (for topping), 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1½ teaspoons baking powder.
How To Make Rustic Pear Upside-Down Graham Cake
1. Melt ¼ cup butter in your 9-inch cake pan directly in the preheated 350°F oven. Remove and sprinkle ⅓ cup brown sugar evenly over the melted butter.
2. Arrange pear slices in an overlapping pattern over the brown sugar, creating a beautiful design that will become the top of your finished cake.
3. Whisk both flours, baking powder, ginger, and cinnamon together. In another bowl, cream remaining butter with ¾ cup brown sugar until fluffy.
4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then alternate adding flour mixture and milk to create a smooth batter. Pour carefully over arranged pears.
5. Bake 45-50 minutes until golden and pulling from edges. Cool 5 minutes, then run a knife around edges and invert onto serving plate immediately.
06. Traditional Fresh Pear Cake
Time-tested recipe featuring chunks of fresh pears in spiced cake batter. This dense, moist cake has been passed down through generations of home bakers.
Ingredients: 2 cups flour, 1¼ cups sugar, ½ cup vegetable oil, 2 eggs, 3 large pears (chunked), 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon allspice, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon vanilla, ½ teaspoon salt.
How To Make Traditional Fresh Pear Cake
1. Cut pears into uniform chunks about ½ inch in size, ensuring they’re perfectly ripe for the best flavor and texture in the finished cake.
2. Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and all spices in a large bowl. The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice creates that classic autumn flavor.
3. Beat oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until well combined and slightly thickened. Gradually stir in the flour mixture until just moistened – don’t overmix.
4. Fold in pear chunks gently, making sure they’re evenly distributed. Pour into greased 9×13 pan and bake at 350°F for 40-45 minutes.
5. Test for doneness with a toothpick inserted near center. The cake is ready when it springs back lightly when touched and pulls slightly from pan edges.
07. Elegant Almond and Pear Cake
Sophisticated European-style cake with ground almonds and amaretto-soaked pears. This delicate frangipane-inspired dessert is perfect for special occasions and afternoon tea.
Ingredients: 1 cup almond flour, ½ cup all-purpose flour, ¾ cup sugar, ½ cup butter (softened), 3 eggs, 2 pears (thinly sliced), 3 tablespoons amaretto liqueur, 1 teaspoon almond extract, ½ teaspoon vanilla, ¼ teaspoon salt.
How To Make Elegant Almond and Pear Cake
1. Toss thinly sliced pears with amaretto and let them soak for 15 minutes, allowing the liqueur to penetrate and enhance the natural pear flavor beautifully.
2. Cream butter and sugar until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time, then almond extract and vanilla until smooth.
3. Combine both flours and salt. Gently fold into the butter mixture until just combined – the batter should remain light and airy for the best texture.
4. Fold in the amaretto-soaked pears along with any remaining liquid. Pour into greased 9-inch springform pan and arrange some pear slices decoratively on top.
5. Bake at 325°F for 45-50 minutes until golden and set. Cool completely before removing from pan. Dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired.
08. Spiced Gingerbread Pear Cake
Show-stopping upside-down cake combining pear halves with rich gingerbread flavors. Pecans add wonderful crunch and complement the warm spices perfectly throughout.
Ingredients: 1 box gingerbread cake mix, 4 pear halves (canned or fresh), ½ cup chopped pecans, ¼ cup butter, ⅓ cup brown sugar, 1 egg, 1¼ cups water, ⅓ cup oil, 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
How To Make Spiced Gingerbread Pear Cake
1. Melt butter in your 9×13 baking pan in the preheated 350°F oven. Remove and sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over the melted butter base.
2. Arrange pear halves cut-side down over the sugar mixture, then scatter chopped pecans around and between the pears for added texture and visual appeal.
3. Prepare gingerbread mix according to package directions using water, oil, and egg. The batter should be smooth but not overmixed for the best cake texture.
4. Pour gingerbread batter carefully over the arranged pears and nuts, spreading gently to cover completely without disturbing the fruit arrangement underneath.
5. Bake 35-40 minutes until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool 5 minutes, run knife around edges, then invert immediately onto serving platter while still warm.
09. Classic Pear Cake
Simple, reliable recipe perfect for using up very ripe pears. This wonderfully moist cake showcases the fruit’s natural sweetness without overwhelming additional flavors.
Ingredients: 2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, ½ cup brown sugar, ⅓ cup melted butter, 2 eggs, ¾ cup milk, 3 very ripe pears (mashed), 1½ teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla, ½ teaspoon salt.
How To Make Classic Pear Cake
1. Mash very ripe pears with a fork until chunky but not completely smooth. The soft texture of overripe pears works perfectly in this forgiving recipe.
2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. In another bowl, beat both sugars, melted butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in mashed pears gently, keeping some texture for the most appealing final result.
4. Pour into greased 9×13 pan and bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and pulling slightly away from the pan edges all around.
10. Berry Pear Crumb Cake
Delightful coffee cake packed with pears, blueberries, and crunchy nuts. The cinnamon-sugar crumb topping creates an irresistible texture contrast with the moist cake beneath.
Ingredients: 2 cups flour, ¾ cup sugar, ½ cup butter (softened), 2 eggs, ¾ cup milk, 2 pears (diced), 1 cup fresh blueberries, ½ cup chopped walnuts, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla, ½ cup brown sugar, ⅓ cup flour, 3 tablespoons cold butter, 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
How To Make Berry Pear Crumb Cake
1. Make crumb topping by combining brown sugar, ⅓ cup flour, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Cream softened butter with sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla. Combine 2 cups flour with baking powder and salt.
3. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to creamed mixture. Gently fold in diced pears, blueberries, and walnuts without bursting the berries.
4. Spread batter in greased 9×13 pan and sprinkle crumb topping evenly over surface. Bake at 350°F for 40-45 minutes until golden and set.
5. Cool completely before cutting. Serve with whipped cream and extra blueberries for an extra special presentation that guests will absolutely love.
Final Thoughts
These pear cake recipes celebrate autumn’s bounty with incredible flavors and textures that make every bite memorable and satisfying.
Whether you prefer classic simplicity or creative combinations, there’s a perfect pear cake here to inspire your fall baking adventures.