Chocolate Pear Cake - chocolate and pears go really well together in this easy cake! This cake makes a perfect breakfast and dessert!
I made this chocolate pear cake quite a while ago and really liked it, even though never before have I combined chocolate cake batter and pears. As I luckily discovered, pears and chocolate cake work really well together in this easy-to-prepare, everyday cake. Especially if you have a couple of very ripe pears that you don't know what to do with.
The original recipe called for caramelizing the pears and placing them on the bottom of the baking pan for an upside-down cake effect, but I didn't want to caramelize the pears I had because they were too soft and overly ripe already.
Instead, I just placed chopped fresh pears on top of the cake batter, expecting the cake batter to rise evenly around the pears. The cake did rise around the pears, but in very select places as you can see for yourself on the photos. Still, the cake looked reasonably pretty, especially when dusted with confectionery sugar, and, what's more important, tasted really good!
This chocolate pear cake recipe is good on many levels: it's easy-to-make, it's delicious, the chocolate cake texture is just right, and this dessert has fruit in it which is what I love. It's one of those recipes I will definitely try again. Maybe next time, I'll fold the pears directly into the batter (instead of putting them on top) or will use different fruit or berries.
Recipe Notes
- What baking pan to use? Use a 9×9 inch square pan or 9 inch round springform pan. If using a springform pan, line the bottom of the springform pan with a round piece of parchment paper.
- After your cake is baked, dust it with powdered sugar before serving: it will make this tasty cake look really pretty!
Chocolate pear cake
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 4 ounces dark chocolate , chopped
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup whole milk
- 3 pears ripe, peeled, cored, and chopped into large chunks
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Grease a 9×9 inch square pan or 9 inch round springform pan. If using a springform pan, line the bottom of the springform pan with a round piece of parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt - mix to combine.
- Melt the butter and dark chocolate in a small bowl, using a microwave, or on a stove top in a small pan over low heat. Stir well.
- Transfer melted chocolate mixture to a large mixing bowl, add granulated sugar, and, using electric mixer, beat on medium-high speed for a couple of minutes until the mixture is light in color. Add eggs and vanilla and continue beating to combine. Add flour mixture and milk, alternating between the two in two additions, into the chocolate mixture.
- Pour the cake batter into the baking pan and place chopped pears on top of the cake batter. Alternatively, you can fold in chopped pears into the cake batter before adding the cake batter into the baking pan.
- Bake for about 45 minutes or until the toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out reasonably clean and the cake bounces when touched.
- Cool on a wire rack for 15-30 minutes. If using springform pan, release the cake when completely cooled.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving: it will make this tasty cake look really pretty!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer:
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Jessica @ Jessiker Bakes
This combination sounds delicious! I haven't had pear in ages but I think I'd like this cake!
Daniela
Chocolate and pears are a perfect match.
The cake looks so moist and tempting , I wouldn't mind to try a piece right now 🙂
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine
Julia, this looks so pretty. I've never had chocolate and pears but I think that's about to change! Lovely photos!
John@Kitchen Riffs
This is such an interesting cake! I've had pears in cake before, but never a chocolate one. Gotta try this! It looks wonderful -- thanks.
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef
i love pears! this sounds like a fantastic cake, julia! can't wait to try it.
laurasmess
Chocolate and pear is a combination that I've only recently discovered... mostly via an amazing chocolate pear that a local bakery sells near my house. Incredibly delicious!! Love the look of this cake Julia. I can imagine myself making this often as I always seem to forget the pears in the fruit bowl until they're past their best!! Thanks xx
Matt @ Runner Savvy
Looks delicious!
Ari @ Ari's Menu
This looks awesome! Love the heavy dusting of powdered sugar on top! 🙂
Deb
The lush pears peeking out between the tempting chocolate cake is so inviting! A perfect cake to share with an afternoon coffee.
Ashley
I've never combined chocolate with pears before but this cake looks delicious! I have a few pears hanging around right now actually - I may need to bake a cake! : )
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking
Mmmm this cake looks gooey and chocolatey! I want a piece right now! But I have no pears...only 15 bananas (what was I thinking?!). I love the pearing of chocolate and pear (see what I did there? I know, I almost can't stand it either. so annoying)!
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan
Brilliant combination of pears and chocolate, Julia! Love the chunks showing through - am sitting here with my cup of coffee drooling!
Angie@Angie's Recipes
A glorious coffee cake, Julia. So moist and loaded with chocolate...totally right up my alley.
Krista
I just happen to have an entire box of very ripe pears that need using up. 🙂 My Bear will love this cake. 🙂
ela@GrayApron
Yes, yes, yes! My type of a cake. Great idea to put the pears in the batter...and they go so well with chocolate! Just beautiful! 🙂 ela