Wow! What is this?! The end of February already.
Again, sorry for the stupidly long break, I was getting really getting there for a while too. I will try harder!
How have you all been?
I've been great, still trying to find a job, but I'm not giving up, I know something will show up and things will work out. Until then, I will continue with the everyday things of looking after the house.
Lately I've been on a bit of a baking spree, and I wanted to share my favourite recent creation.
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| {Caramelised Pear Upside Down Cake with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Buttercream} |
This was amazing. Add a dollop of cream to the cold or warm cake and it was beautiful for dessert.
Here is the recipe, which I sourced from Fine Cooking, and for the buttercream I used the Swiss Meringue buttercream from THIS RECIPE
For
the topping
2 medium firm-ripe Bosc pears (about 1 lb.)
1 recipe Basic Caramel
2 oz. (4 Tbs.) unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces
2 medium firm-ripe Bosc pears (about 1 lb.)
1 recipe Basic Caramel
2 oz. (4 Tbs.) unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces
For
the cake
6-3/4 oz. (1-1/2 cups) unbleached all-purpose flour
1-3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. table salt
1/2 cup whole milk
1-1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
4 oz. (8 Tbs.) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
6-3/4 oz. (1-1/2 cups) unbleached all-purpose flour
1-3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. table salt
1/2 cup whole milk
1-1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
4 oz. (8 Tbs.) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
Position
a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F. Butter the bottom
and sides of a 9x2-inch round cake pan (don't use a springform pan, as the
caramel might leak out during baking). Line the bottom of the pan with a round
of parchment and butter the top of the paper.
Make
the topping
Peel,
core, and cut the pears lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange the pear
slices on the bottom of the pan in a circle around the edge, overlapping them
slightly, with the pointed ends towards the center. If necessary, cut a little
off the pointed ends to make the slices fit better. Or if the pear slices don't
reach all the way to the middle, arrange a few of the shorter slices in the
center to cover the bottom of the pan.
Make
the Basic Caramel according to the directions.
Immediately remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the 4 Tbs. of butter one
piece at a time, until they are completely melted. Carefully pour the hot
caramel evenly over the pears (it should spread over the pears and onto the
bottom of the pan).
Make
the cake batter
Sift
the flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, and salt into a medium bowl. Stir
to combine. In a small bowl, stir together the milk and vanilla.
In
the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on
medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute.Turn the mixer to
medium and slowly add the brown sugar. Increase the speed to high and continue
to mix until lightened in texture and color, 2 to 3 minutes total. Reduce the
speed to medium and add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each
addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Reduce
the speed to low and alternate adding the flour mixture and milk mixture in
five additions, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix each addition just
enough to incorporate, as overmixing will lead to a tougher cake. Scrape down
the sides of the bowl one last time and mix briefly to blend well.
Bake
the cake
Spoon
the batter in large dollops over the pears and smooth it into an even layer
with an offset spatula. Bake the cake until the top is golden brown and a
toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes. Transfer the
pan to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the
pan. Turn a cake plate upside down on top of the cake pan and, using pot
holders, carefully invert the cake pan onto the plate.
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