Brown Butter Pear Cake

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Brown Butter Pear Cake

 NURTURING OURSELVES

I love to travel, business or pleasure it all gets me excited. Today I am 20,000+ feet in the air; rocketing towards sunny California and loving every minute of it. A plane delay; it doesn’t faze me. A seating area so small, my knees hit my chest; piece of cake (Brown Butter Pear Cake as a matter of fact).  The important thing here is I’m on my way to somewhere. Adventure awaits and I couldn’t be happier.

This trip will be a short one, filled with mostly dry, ”I can’t keep my eyes open any longer,” type meetings.  No matter, a change of scenery is just what the doctor ordered and I am looking forward to some spectacular dining in the evenings.

Brown Butter Pear Cake Sometimes in life what’s needed is a new perspective. With all the blogging, putting away produce, and daily tasks I have lost a bit of sight on what’s important. I was in need of an opportunity to step outside my normal routine and reset. These little jaunts work perfectly for me, but I realize not everyone has this as an option. The trick then is to figure out what works for you, make a plan and then follow it. This could be as simple as a lunch or dinner out with the girls or a trip to the hair salon all by your lonesome.

Whatever the plan, be sure to take a few moments to nurture yourself. When you are at peace and feel your needs are met it will be much easier to give to others.

Brown Butter Pear Cake BROWN BUTTER PEAR CAKE

I set about making this delicious cake with one thing in mind; making it healthy. Fresh pears were a great place to start. I substituted all the processed foods for whole foods and love how it turned out.  If you’re looking for a cake with a beautiful presentation, slightly sweet with a lovely Bourbon brown butter flavor, this one’s for you. Feel free to dust with a touch of powdered sugar or add a dollop of sweetened fresh whip cream to top it off, if something sweeter is what you desire. 

5.0 from 3 reviews
Brown Butter Pear Cake
 
Print
Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • 2 partially ripe pears, peeled, cored and sliced
  • 1 tbsp chopped crystallized ginger
  • 1-1/2 sticks unsalted butter, divided
  • 4 tbsp Bourbon (or apple juice), divided
  • ¾ cup unrefined pure cane sugar (or brown sugar)
  • ½ tsp sea salt, divided
  • 2 eggs
  • 1-1/2 cups plus 2 tbsp whole wheat white flour
  • 1 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Butter and flour a 9 inch spring form pan.
  3. Place pear slices in bottom of the spring form pan in fanning fruit out in a circle.
  4. Sprinkle with the tbsp of chopped crystallized ginger. Set aside.
  5. In a medium skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
  6. Stir continually until the milk solids bubble up and turn a golden brown color.
  7. Pour into a small bowl, making sure to get all the brown buttery buts.
  8. Place browned butter in the freezer to cool and solidify. About 20-25 minutes.
  9. While waiting for browned butter to solidify, wipe out pan used to brown butter and melt and additional 4 tablespoons of butter.
  10. Add 2 tbsp bourbon (or apple juice), ¼ cup unrefined cane sugar (or light brown sugar) and ¼ tsp sea salt.
  11. Stir over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is bubbly and slightly thickened.
  12. Spoon the sauce over the pears, tapping the pan on the counter to evenly distribute.
  13. Stir together the flour, baking powder and remaining ¼ tsp sea salt, set aside.
  14. In medium sized mixing bowl add the remaining 4 tbsp of butter, the 4 tbsp of solidified browned butter, 2 tbsp Bourbon and the remaining ½ cup of unrefined sugar. Mix on medium-low speed until creamy, 2-3 minutes.
  15. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing until each egg is incorporated.
  16. By hand stir in wet and dry ingredients a little at a time, alternating as you go and only until ingredients have all been incorporated. (this helps to keep the cake tender).
  17. Spoon the batter over top of the pears and tap the pan on the counter to help spread the batter evenly..
  18. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center..
  19. Cool cake for about 10 minutes before running a knife along the edge of the cake. Inverting onto a platter and remove spring form siding. Allow cake to cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar or add a dollop of fresh whole whipped cream prior to serving.

 Adapted from Simply Scratch: Gingered Pear + Brown Butter Upside Down Cake

Brown Butter Pear Cake shared with: *Jordon’s Onion: Thank Goodness it’s Thursday * The Pin Junkie: Pin Junkie Pin Party * Juggling Real Food and Real Life: Let’s Get Real *Feathers in the Woods: Green Thumb Thursday *Weekend Wind-Down *In the Kitchen with Jenny: Foodie Friends Friday *Natasha in Oz: Say G’day *Raia’s Recipes: Savoring Saturday’s *Our Rosey Life: Share it Sunday *Pebbles and Piggytails: Saturday Dishes *The Ultimate Linky: Bloggers Brags *Plucky’s Second Thoughts * My Pinterest Adventures: Merry Monday Link Party * Mrs. AOK: Mommy Monday *Yesterfood: Treasure Box Tuesday *April J Harris: Hearth and Soul Blog Hop *Lou Lou Girls: Lou Lou Girls *Creative K Kids: Tasty Tuesdays *New Mrs Adventures: Tasty Tuedays *Recipes for Our Daily Bread: Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop *Smart School House: Whimsy Wednesday *Simply  Sweets: Party in Your PJ’s  * The Crafty Wife: The Wednesday Roundup *To Work With My Hands: Wake Up Wednesday * Crafty Allie: Worthwhile Wednesdays *Sweet Haute La Dolce Vita: Sweet Haute * Gingerly Made: Show and Tell *Yum Eating: The Yuck Stops Here *My Paper Craze: Creative Spark *The Newlywed Pilgrimage: Moonlight and Mason Jars

 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Preserve the Harvest Series: Spiced Ginger Pear Butter

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Preserve the Harvest: Spiced Ginger Pear Butter PRESERVE THE HARVEST SERIES: LET’S TALK PEARS

Preserve the Harvest Series presents a new fruit or vegetable every Tuesday with the goal of helping you get the most out of fresh fruits and vegetables harvested during peak season. Whether you grow your own fruits and vegetables, buy them at the Farmer’s Market or your local grocery store, it is good to remember the best time to preserve your bounty is when it is plentiful. Preserving the harvest stocks your pantry shelves and freezer with whole foods that you can feel good about, foods that taste great, and this approach saves you money.  A sane approach to sustainability! Next up…pears and Spiced Ginger Pear Butter.

LET’S TALK PEARS

WHEN TO BUY PEARS

The best time to buy pears is late August through October depending on the area you live in. Warmer climates will have pears available earlier and cooler climates have pears that mature later in the season.

WHERE TO BUY PEARS

When buying pears it is best to buy local. The best tasting pears are those that have been picked prior to maturity. Pears that have been left to ripen too long on a tree tend to be grainy and/or mushy. Just the opposite of most fruits where staying on the tree until maturity is more beneficial. 

HOW TO CHOOSE PEARS

Pears are the one fruit that tastes better when picked prior to maturity. Pears ripen from the inside out, if your pear is soft on the outside it is already too ripe. To tell if a pear is ripe, gently apply pressure at the edge of the stem. If the pear gives slightly it is partially ripe and perfect for poaching, roasting and baking. If the area easily yields to pressure but doesn’t feel mushy it is ready to eat or puree into sauces. 

Pears should also be pleasantly aromatic with a fresh sweet smell. Organic pears will have the best taste.

STORING PEARS

Store pears at room temperature until ripe. To hasten ripening place in a paper bag or leave in a cool place covered with a towel. Once ripened, place in the refrigerator where the pears will keep for up to a week.

PRESERVING PEARS

Pears lend themselves well to canning, freezing, drying, and making wonderful butters.  When freezing it is best to use pears that are partially ripened and still firm.  

Preserve the Harvest: Spiced Ginger Pear Butter SPICED GINGER PEAR BUTTER

Spiced Ginger Pear Butter is a wonderful spread to have around. Much like apple butter it can be used as a spread on biscuits or toast, a filling for a tart or an accompaniment for savory meat dishes. I also like to use it with chicken or turkey on sandwiches for a gourmet twist. No matter how you choose to spread it, the spiced ginger flavor is sure to be a favorite.

5.0 from 4 reviews
Spiced Ginger Pear Butter
 
Print
Ingredients
  • 5 cups pears, peeled, cored and sliced
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tbsp chopped candied ginger
  • 1 cinnamon stick, broken into 1 inch pieces
  • 4 whole cloves
  • sugar
Instructions
  1. Place sliced pears and 1 cup water into non reactive medium sized pan and bring to a boil over high heat.
  2. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until pears have softened.
  3. With stick blender, (or food processors) blend pears until smooth.
  4. Measure puree and return to pan.
  5. For each cup of puree add 1¼ cups sugar.
  6. Place cinnamon, ginger and cloves in a spice bag or tied into cheesecloth and add to puree mixture.
  7. Return mixture to boil, reduce heat and simmer until mixture is thickened, stirring as needed to prevent sticking. (this may take 1-2 hours)
  8. Once thickened, remove spice bag.
  9. Ladle into hot sterilized jars and process for 10 minutes.
  10. Makes about 3 cups.

Recipe adapted from The Complete Book of Small-Batch Preserving: Over 300 Recipes to Use Year-Round

SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED

The following recipe is processed using a water bath canning process. If you have never canned before or need a refresher the National Center for Home Food Preservation is the gold standard of information. I would encourage you to head over and read their general canning information.

Resources: The Splendid Table: When to Buy Pears

Spiced Ginger Pear Butter shared with:

*Back to the Basics: Tuesdays with a Twist  *The Ultimate Linky: Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop *Creative K Kids: Tasty Tuesdays *Savvy Southerner: Wow Us Wednesday’s  *My Paper Craze: Creative Spark *Organic For Green Livings: Real Food Fridays *Jordon’s Onion: Thank Goodness it’s Thursday * The Pin Junkie: Pin Junkie Pin Party * Juggling Real Food and Real Life: Let’s Get Real *Feathers in the Woods: Green Thumb Thursday *Weekend Wind-Down *In the Kitchen with Jenny: Foodie Friends Friday *Natasha in Oz: Say G’day  *Raia’s Recipes: Savoring Saturday’s *Our Rosey Life: Share it Sunday *Pebbles and Piggytails: Saturday Dishes *The Ultimate Linky: Bloggers Brags *Plucky’s Second Thoughts * My Pinterest Adventures: Merry Monday Link Party * Mrs. AOK: Mommy Monday *Yesterfood: Treasure Box Tuesday *April J Harris: Hearth and Soul Blog Hop *Lou Lou Girls: Lou Lou Girls

Disclosure of Material *Simply Sweets: Party in Your PJ’sConnection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”