Cranberry Pear Cake

Name: Cranberry Pear Cake
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Yield: 12-14 servings.
Ingredients: 1 cup packed brown sugar; 3/4 cup chopped pecans; 1/3 cup chopped dried cranberries; 1 teaspoon apple pie spice; BATTER:; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1 cup sugar; 3 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup sour cream; 2 cups chopped peeled ripe pears; GLAZE:; 1 cup confectioners' sugar; 5 teaspoons 2% milk; 4-1/2 teaspoons butter, melted; 1/4 teaspoon apple pie spice; 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

If you want a change-of-pace cake that's full of fall flavors, try this pairing of cranberries and pears. The nutty filling and glaze topping elevate it from a coffee cake to a special dessert. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

Ingredients

1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup chopped dried cranberries
1 teaspoon apple pie spice
BATTER:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream
2 cups chopped peeled ripe pears
GLAZE:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
5 teaspoons 2% milk
4-1/2 teaspoons butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon apple pie spice
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, pecans, cranberries and apple pie spice; set aside.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream just until combined. Fold in pears.
Pour half of the batter into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Sprinkle with half of the pecan mixture; top with remaining batter and pecan mixture.
Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
In a small bowl, whisk the glaze ingredients until smooth; drizzle over cake.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 400 calories, 17g fat (8g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 340mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (43g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.

Originally published as Cranberry Streusel Pear Cake in Country Woman September/October 2006

Reviews

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Average Rating:

Joscy

Jun 6, 2013

Have been **eyeing** this cake for few weeks now. Let me ask, is it really necessary to peel the pears, or can they be diced finely to avoid the extra step? Thank you to those who reply.
kitty62862

Jan 4, 2012

This cake is very special, I made it for Christmas. Be sure you grease and flour properly, so the cake come out in one piece. Mine fell apart, but it was still delicious.
Kris Countryman

Nov 2, 2010

Loved this cake. I have a large pear tree and was looking for a cake recipe using pears. This is tops. I served it for a birthday dinner and it was really enjoyed.