Roasted Pear and Ginger Upside-Down Cake
Warm roasted pears and spicy ginger caramel create a luscious upside-down cake with a tender crumb and rich aroma. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 65 minutes pairs divided unsalted butter, packed brown sugar, finely grated fresh ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 3 medium, peeled, cored, and sliced into 1/2-inch wedges ripe pears
- 6 tbsp, divided unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup, packed brown sugar
- 1 tbsp, finely grated fresh ginger
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a 9-inch round cake pan, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter over low heat on stovetop. Stir in 1/2 cup packed brown sugar and 1 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger, cooking until sugar dissolves and mixture bubbles gently.
- Step 2: Arrange 3 medium peeled, cored, and 1/2-inch sliced pear wedges in a circular pattern atop the ginger caramel in the pan.
- Step 3: In a bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 4: In a separate large bowl, beat 3/4 cup granulated sugar with 3 tbsp softened unsalted butter until fluffy. Add 2 large eggs one at a time, then 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 5: Alternately add the dry ingredients and 1/2 cup whole milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Step 6: Spoon batter evenly over the pears in the pan, smoothing the top.
- Step 7: Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges are golden.
- Step 8: Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate to reveal the caramelized pears on top. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Roasted Pear and Ginger Upside-Down Cake take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Roasted Pear and Ginger Upside-Down Cake?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep divided unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Roasted Pear and Ginger Upside-Down Cake?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Roasted Pear and Ginger Upside-Down Cake for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Roasted Pear and Ginger Upside-Down Cake?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
