food
Spice Cake with Poached Pears
This spice cake has a splash of beer in the batter, making it extra moist. Served with poached pears and a maple frosting this is the definition of holiday delicacy.
food
Spice Cake with Poached Pears
This spice cake has a splash of beer in the batter, making it extra moist. Served with poached pears and a maple frosting this is the definition of holiday delicacy.
Supplies
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 11/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 1/4 cups pumpkin purée
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup plus 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup safflower oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup Hoegaarden
- Poached Pears
- Maple Frosting
Steps
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Butter and flour a loaf pan
- In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and freshly grated nutmeg.
- In a large bowl, combine pumpkin purée, vanilla, brown sugar, granulated sugar and oil.
- Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth.
- Add the eggs, whisking to combine.
- Pour in the Hoegaarden and combine
- Add your dry ingredients to the wet and combine
- Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake for 1 hour.
- Test with a toothpick in the center, when it comes out clean it's done.
- Remove the cake from the tin
- Slice evenly
- Serve frosting in a separate bowl or gravy boat
- Serve pear wedges and liquid in a separate bowl
- Assemble at table on individual plates
Supplies
- 2 medium pears
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 whole star anise
- Pinch of salt
Steps
- Cut the pears into 1-inch-thick wedges, removing and discarding the fibrous stems and seeds.
- In a Dutch oven combine water, granulated sugar, honey, star anise, and a pinch of salt.
- Once the sugar dissolves, add the pear wedges.
- Poach the pears for about 15 minutes, or until tender.
- Turn off the heat and let them cool in their poaching liquid.
Supplies
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- Zest and juice from 1 lemon
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Steps
- Whisk or beat together butter, cream cheese, lemon zest and lemon juice until light and fluffy.
- Add powdered sugar, and whisk to combine. (add more powdered sugar for desired thickness).
- Stir in maple syrup.
- Place frosting in fridge to chill until you're ready to use.