This fluffy chocolate pear cake is one of the easiest cakes you can prepare. With a handful of ingredients, it is so simple and makes a perfect breakfast or a mouthwatering snack in the afternoon. It takes just a few minutes to make the batter and bake.
Believe it or not, pears combine perfectly with chocolate in this dream cake. That’s why I want to share this recipe with you. It is a heavenly balance between the strong and bitter taste of the chocolate and the delicious sweetness of juicy pears. What a wonderful combination!
pick the right ingredients
- Butter: use good AA butter and organic if you have it. Soften the butter in the microwave and then let it cool down before adding it to the eggs. You don’t want to cook with scrambled eggs.
- Eggs: add three large eggs, organic if possible.
- Sugar: use granulated sugar. If you want a more rustic texture, use raw cane sugar, which is better reserved for the top of the cake.
- Flour: for this cake I used pastry flour, but in the US, all-purpose flour works well.
- Cornstarch: this is the special ingredient in this recipe—it makes the butter fluffier and provides a softer texture. You can also use potato starch.
- Pears and chocolate: let yourself loose here because quantities may vary according to your own taste. I like my cake very rich in chocolate, so I add plenty of chocolate chips. Remember to top the batter with the pears just before baking so that they integrate evenly into the cake.
tips and tricks for the perfect chocolate pear cake
- Be very careful with the quantities: the accuracy in the weight of the ingredients is fundamental. In fact, if you are going to do a lot of baking, the best thing you can do is to buy a good electronic kitchen scale. They are not very expensive on Amazon and cooking in grams is so much more accurate than with cups and spoons.
- Baking: a rigorous control of the cooking time makes your cake perfect. Of course, the baking time often depends on your oven and its functionality. Try to understand how your oven works and adjust the time properly.
- Sift the flour carefully. Although it is not clearly stated in the recipe, you should always sift the flour, baking powder, and cornstarch together before combining them with all the other ingredients. This way you’ll get rid of any clumps and the batter will be smoother.
- Don’t use any non-stick baking spray in the baking pan; use parchment paper instead. Lay the pan on the parchment paper and draw the outline of the pan and cut it out with scissors.
- Let the cake cool down completely before cutting it; it won’t break apart. A pastry chef’s trick is to take the cake out of the oven, flip it over a cooling rack, and let it cool down completely.
More advice for a fluffy cake
- The temperature of the ingredients: use room temperature eggs and butter. If you are short on time, take the eggs out of the fridge put them in hot water for a few seconds, and then lightly soften the butter in the microwave.
- Be very careful not to deflate the mixture when you fold in the egg whites. Add a little egg white mixture at a time and try to maintain as much volume as possible.
- Use the static oven at the right temperature, but never open the oven door during the baking process. There shouldn’t be any drop in temperature at the end either. Let it cool down naturally.
How can you store it?
To store a chocolate pear cake properly, it is essential to keep it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. You can also place the cake in the refrigerator for extended freshness, but make sure to bring it back to room temperature before serving to enhance its flavors and textures. Additionally, storing the cake in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight will help maintain its quality for a longer period. Enjoy your delicious chocolate pear cake by following these simple storage tips!
Chocolate Pear Cake
Ingredients
- 3 pears
- ¾ cup dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup butter
- 3 eggs
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup potato starch
- 2 tbsp baking powder
- 3 tbsp raw cane sugar
Instructions
- Take two mixing bowls and divide the egg yolks from the whites.
- Soften the butter slightly in the microwave and let it cool down; then add it to the egg yolks and the sugar.
- Stir all the ingredients until well combined.
- Sift together the flour, cornstarch, and baking powder. Add it to the egg mixture, a little at a time.
- Add all the chocolate chips and mix well.
- Whip the whites to a stiff peak with a hand mixer at high speed.
- Fold the whites into the batter with downwards motions to maintain as much volume as possible.
- Transfer the batter to a parchment-lined pan; the cake won’t stick to the pan so you can remove it easily.
- Peel, core, and slice the pears and arrange them on the top of the batter.
- Sprinkle it with raw cane sugar for a crunchy delicious crust.
- Pre-heat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and bake for 40 minutes in a static oven.
- If the top gets too brown, lower the oven temperature to 325°F (160°C).
- Do the toothpick test. Insert it into the cake, and if it comes out clean, it is ready.
- Turn off the oven, and leave the cake in for about 5-7 minutes to cool down gradually; then open the oven door and let it stand for about 10 minutes more.
- Let it cool and remember that if you baked it the day before, the taste will become more intense.