Warm Brown Butter Pear Upside-Down Cake
Moist cake infused with nutty brown butter and topped with caramelized pear slices in an elegant upside-down presentation. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 60 minutes pairs (1 stick) unsalted butter, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced ripe pear
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a saucepan, melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter over medium heat, swirling occasionally until it turns golden brown and smells nutty, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Step 2: In a mixing bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, beat 2 large eggs lightly. Stir in the browned butter, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup milk.
- Step 4: Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until just combined.
- Step 5: In a 9-inch round cake pan, sprinkle 1/3 cup brown sugar evenly over the bottom, then arrange the 1 large thinly sliced pear pieces in an even layer on top of the sugar.
- Step 6: Pour the batter gently over the pears and smooth the top.
- Step 7: Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the edges are golden.
- Step 8: Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate to reveal the caramelized pear topping.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Warm Brown Butter Pear Upside-Down Cake take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 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 Warm Brown Butter Pear 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 (1 stick) unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Warm Brown Butter Pear 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 Warm Brown Butter Pear 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 Warm Brown Butter Pear 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.
