Pear-Almond Upside-Down Cake |
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Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 0 Minutes |
Ready In: 0 Minutes Servings: 10 |
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An ovenproof nonstick skillet works as well as cast-iron. You can substitute apples for the pears to vary the flavor of this cake. Ingredients:
1/4 cup blanched almonds |
1 tablespoon powdered sugar |
2 tablespoons light-colored corn syrup |
1 tablespoon butter |
1/2 cup packed brown sugar |
3 peeled anjou or bosc pears, cored and each cut into 8 wedges |
1/3 cup dried tart cherries |
2/3 cup granulated sugar |
1/3 cup butter, softened |
2 large eggs |
1 cup all-purpose flour |
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder |
1/4 teaspoon salt |
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk |
1 teaspoon vanilla extract |
1/4 teaspoon almond extract |
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350º.
2. Combine the almonds and powdered sugar in a food processor; pulse 8 times or until finely chopped.
3. Heat corn syrup and 1 tablespoon butter in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat until butter melts. Stir in brown sugar, and cook 1 minute or until bubbly. Remove from heat. Arrange pear slices spokelike in pan, working from center of pan to edge; sprinkle with cherries. Cook over medium heat 15 minutes or until syrupy, gently shaking pan occasionally (do not stir).
4. While pears cook, place granulated sugar and 1/3 cup butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed 4 minutes or until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine almond mixture, flour, baking powder, and salt, stirring well with a whisk. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to egg mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture; stir with a rubber spatula just until blended. Stir in extracts. Gently spoon batter over pears, spreading evenly. Bake at 350º for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Run a sharp knife around edge of pan to loosen cake. Place a plate upside down on top of pan; carefully invert cake onto the plate.
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