Recipe

Pear and Cranberry Cake

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Recipe
3 Questions

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by cristinasciarra

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by cristinasciarra

This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Pears

This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Holiday Breakfast II
Sagegreen's Testing Notes: Cristinasciarra shares her aunt's luscious cake recipe which she adapts here with pears. This cake is a snap to put together, there's a tantalizing aroma while it bakes, and it's very gratifying...
Cristinasciarra shares her aunt's luscious cake recipe which she adapts here with pears. This cake is a snap to put together, there's a tantalizing aroma while it bakes, and it's very gratifying with that first bite. The tart pop of the fresh cranberries with the bright citrus notes in a perfectly moist rag-cake texture is simply divine. You could add a tiny pinch of salt, if you like. This is also a very forgiving recipe, if you happen to forget the wheat germ: it will still be lovely. I made this both ways. Thanks, cristinasciarra for sharing this gem!

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Chef
cristinasciarra's Notes: This is a family recipe, no denying it. It was my Aunt Martha’s creation, but quickly became a holiday staple in my house as well. I distinctly remember eating this cake as part of our Thanksgiving...
This is a family recipe, no denying it. It was my Aunt Martha’s creation, but quickly became a holiday staple in my house as well. I distinctly remember eating this cake as part of our Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, and then again the next morning for breakfast; a huge treat for my sisters and I. Now I make it too, because it is mixed and in the oven in under fifteen minutes, and because it makes my kitchen smell divine. The flecks of mild, sweet pear and bites of sour cranberry are little gems, lending this moist, citrus-spiked cake a distinctive holiday look and taste.

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Makes 1 bundt cake

2 cups sugar Ask a question about this ingredient

zest of one orange Ask a question about this ingredient

zest of one lemon Ask a question about this ingredient

2 extra large eggs Ask a question about this ingredient

1 1/2 cup orange juice Ask a question about this ingredient

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted Ask a question about this ingredient

3 cups all-purpose flour Ask a question about this ingredient

1/4 cup wheat germ Ask a question about this ingredient

1 tablespoon baking soda Ask a question about this ingredient

1 1/2 cup cranberries (if frozen, do not defrost) Ask a question about this ingredient

2 very ripe pears, peeled and partly mashed (if unripe, cook them with ½ tablespoon butter, ½ tablespoon sugar and ½ tablespoon fruit brandy until soft) Ask a question about this ingredient

Preheat oven to 350°F
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In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, zest and eggs.
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Mix in orange juice. Pour in melted butter, while whisking vigorously, so the butter does not coagulate.
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Stir in flour, one cup at a time. Add wheat germ and baking soda, and incorporate.
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When the batter is mixed smoothly, add (slightly mashed) pears and cranberries, and integrate.
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Pour batter into a well-buttered bundt pan.
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Bake for one hour, or until a knife comes out clean.
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13 Comments on Pear and Cranberry Cake

BavarianCook added 2 months ago

This is fantastic. Just had my first slice of it after pulling it out of the oven an hour ago. It's not "holiday season" right now but I had some leftover frozen cranberries to use up and this cake fit the bill. Deliciously moist and the citrus is not overpowering but goes wonderfully with the pears. A keeper and thank you for the recipe, Cristinasciarra!!!

Waverly added 5 months ago

Perfect holiday bundt cake!

Sagegreen added 6 months ago

Lovely flavors!

Sagegreen added 5 months ago

Aargesi is so right! This is delicious. It worked really well with a pinch of salt and even my forgetting to add the wheat germ the first time. Everyone still loved it!

cristinasciarra added 5 months ago

I'm so glad it worked out! Thanks so much for testing it! Just in case you ever want to enjoy this cake in a more tropical setting, my Aunt adds: "You can also use pineapple juice instead of orange juice and chopped pineapples (use the pineapple chunks and cut them down) instead. Cut up macadamia nuts mix with sugar and sprinkle on top. All other ingredients are the same and you prepare the same way."