Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake with Cinnamon Glaze
Moist upside-down cake featuring caramelized pears with warm spices, topped with a sweet cinnamon glaze. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 80 minutes layers (56g), divided unsalted butter, light brown sugar, all-purpose flour into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp (56g), divided unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 3 medium, peeled, cored and sliced 1/4-inch thick ripe pears
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (for glaze)
- 2 tbsp milk (for glaze)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a 9-inch round cake pan, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter over low heat. Sprinkle 3/4 cup light brown sugar evenly over the butter, then arrange 3 sliced pears over the sugar in a single layer. Bake for 15 minutes until caramelized and fragrant.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, beat 3/4 cup granulated sugar with 2 large eggs until light and fluffy. Add 1 tsp vanilla extract and 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter, mixing well.
- Step 4: Alternately add the dry flour mixture and 1/2 cup whole milk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined.
- Step 5: Pour the batter gently over the caramelized pears in the pan and smooth the top. Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 6: While cake cools, whisk 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon and 2 tbsp milk to make a smooth cinnamon glaze.
- Step 7: Invert the cake onto a serving plate once cooled slightly, then drizzle the cinnamon glaze over the top before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake with Cinnamon Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (20 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake with Cinnamon Glaze?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake with Cinnamon Glaze?
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 Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake with Cinnamon Glaze 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 Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake with Cinnamon Glaze?
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.
