Thursday, September 25, 2008

Pear Cake

Do you remember that bumper crop of pears we had at the Manor
this year? I had a big bowl of over ripe ones that needed to be used.
So, what did I do? Pear Cake! And this recipe is absolutely the best!
It's got the perfect texture; light, fluffy, yet incredibly moist and
nutty, lightly spiced and permeated with the flavor of pears and
walnuts. It's very easy to make and perfect for this time of year.
You are going to love this. Give this recipe a whirl and tell me what
you think! Click on the picture for a macro view of the moistness!

Pear Cake

4 cups peeled and finely chopped ripe pears
3 cups flour
1 cup chopped walnuts (I used 2 cups slightly buzzed in processor)
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs beaten
2 cups sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla

In a bowl, mix pears with sugar and nuts, set aside and let stand
one hour (actually my pears where mushy-ripe and I skipped this
part). Add dry ingredients to the pears, stir to combine. Add oil,
vanilla, and eggs. Stir to blend. Don't over stir. Pour batter into a
generously greased and floured tube pan or 10 x 9 inch pan. Bake
350 for about one hour, or until pick inserted in the center comes
out clean. (45 minutes for a 13 x 9 pan.)

49 comments:

  1. That looks delish...put the kettle on...I'll be right up! :)

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  2. That cake looks and sounds divine - I can almost smell it all the way over here in DC! I'll have to give it a try.

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  3. yes ....brew some coffee ...and how about a dollop of whipped cream? I will surely try this one always looking for a way to up the fruits.

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  4. Willow, this recipe is a very good one! Thanks!

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  5. Yum-oh! I've never had pear cake but I think I would love it.

    I came across a recipe for pear relish last night and though of you with your bumper crop.

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  6. Hello Willow !
    Nice "recette"...
    See You later...

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  7. MG, pear relish sounds good! Where did you see that recipe?

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  8. Willow,
    Since I missed breakfast I'm ravenous now! ;-)
    You're much prettier than Yul and You have much nicer hair.
    My mother was born in Columbus Indiana.
    That's not me in the kayak....this time.
    rel

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  9. Willow, You are quite the chef/baker. Me, not so much. but I really enjoy your recipes and photos.

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  10. It's a cliche but that cake looks good enough to eat. Just what I need!

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  11. Well, I will copy this one and try it. Thanks for the recipe.

    I am making Banana Nut Bread today from a recipe from "Essence of Emril".

    Thanks for the visit, and you're right, "I never met a beach I didn't like".

    Come visit anytime,
    Troy and Martha...

    PS: Troy's making the bread

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  12. May I offer you a cup of Willowgate Earl Grey tea in exchange for a small slice of cake? Its smell is all over my screen! ;-)



    Oh well, I admit, the tea merchants' name is not Willowgate, "Taylors of Harrogate", tea so good as only the British are able to select and flavor, with real Bergamot oil.

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  13. Merisi, yes, please bring the Willowgate on over and I'll put the kettle on! There's enough cake for all of us and elk, would you be nice enough to bring some fresh whipped cream?

    The Taylors of Harrogate sounds wonderful!

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  14. Yep, that looks and sounds delightful. Thanks for sharing.

    CJ xx

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  15. 'that needed to be used.'

    I loved that little wink-wink, nudge-nudge moment of total indulgence. And that photo! Cruel woman! It's gone four o' clock here in London and I haven't had my tea yet!

    Note to self: must dash off immediately before I commit cake murder and they try me under the Pastry Act 2005 (long post)

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  16. Heavens to murgatroyd! Why am I getting all these comments at 11:11?! :P

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  17. Mmmmm....I actually have some pears to use up. My version would have to be gluten free/vegan. I'll get back to you with the results.

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  18. Delicious! I had a pear tree in my yeard in Michigan. I love them when they are green and still very firm. Overripe is good in a delicious cake like yours.

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  19. You are an evil woman, Willow, if I were not eating lunch while reading your blog I would have been overcome with the desire to reach into the monitor and grab some of that cake ...

    :-Daryl

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  20. This looks perfect. I bet the nutmeg is a wonderful addition.

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  21. This looks and sounds wonderful. OOH...I'm thinking of a pear themed tea event with white pear tea to accompany this cake...Yum!!!

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  22. Yumm...am into apples at the moment but this pear cake does look scrumptious !

    and...no..you don't look like Yul B.!
    :-)

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  23. I read quickly. Evelyn Woods would have been proud. I wasn't tempted because it was all a blur. Pappy

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  24. MMM is there a care package in the mail for me?

    Looks wonderful!!!

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  25. Very nice.

    I got two pears off my young tree this year (there were more but an overnight hailstorm knocked the lot off and the slugs got to the windfalls before I could). A shame as I was looking forward to making some pear bread, which is excellent with strong cheese and pickles. (contributing to the pear tea party idea)

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  26. I bought all the ingredients I need to make this while I was out today....I plan to bake it tomorrow when I feel better. What's that saying...starve a fever/feed a cold? See..I should be eating yummy comfort food like this!

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  27. Oh, I used to have a similar recipe, and your photo here reminds me I haven't made it in years and it was goood! This looks delicious! I'll have to try this!

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  28. Yum. Just what the doctor ordered. That, with feet up and a good book. That is going straight in my recipe book!

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  29. Willow,
    Dr.? No.
    CRNA? Yes
    Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
    rel

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  30. I can't wait to try some! I've been crazy busy this past week and haven't had a chance to bake for ages. Perhaps this weekend will be my chance!

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  31. It really does make your mouth water, willow. You cruel woman. I bake a mean banana bread but our pears all fell off this year so I might have to wait for next year's crop!!

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  32. I thought that might me "apple-sauce" cake. We farmed apples, so this was one of my mom's specialties when I was growing up. Thanks for the memories.

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  33. yummy looking.

    And wouldn't you just know it - it was Yul Brynner's favorite dessert.

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  34. Looks good. Please FedEx me a piece!

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  35. Hi! I've just stumbled upon your site through black boz and am thrilled to have found you! You've an interesting smorgasborg of articles here - will look forward to "getting to know you" better!
    Cheers!
    The Antiques Diva

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  36. I'm happy to report, willow, that in the end I contented myself with two slices of toast, peanut butter and chocolate spread, but still the combo of pear and nuts (have I ever mentioned that I am nuts about nuts?:-D) drove me almost to the point of losing control. All the way home on my bike last night I had visions of fat, juicy pears assaulting me from all sides and smearing me with their sweet nectar.

    I think someone's already mentioned before the 11:11 conundrum.

    Greetings from London.

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  37. Oh yum, I could do with some of that!

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  38. I'm eating this now...warm from the oven....so wonderful! Thanks for the recipe...so nice and easy...no mixer...no frosting...it's a keeper! :)

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  39. This looks delicious! I can't wait to make it! By the way, I love your blog!

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  40. OMG looks gorgeous! Almost can smell it wafting out thru the picture!

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  41. Perfect timing I have a big bag of over ripe pears just begging to be used. Thanks from another Willow.

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  42. Mmm... that looks amazing.

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  43. now that looks delicious. I have never had pear cake but I have an Apple cake in the oven as we speak.

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  44. Glad you posted a photo of this cake! I've been dabbling in diabetic recipes and I think I can make this work using a banana bread recipe I made yesterday.
    Thanks!

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  45. Betsy, oh, I'm glad you tried this recipe! It's a keeper, isn't it? I can't wait to make it again!

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)