Almond and Pear Cake

The almond and pear cake is a delicious and refined dessert that combines the sweet and slightly tart taste of the pear with the rich, toasted flavor of almonds. Here’s how to prepare an Italian version:

Ingredients

• 150 g of almond flour
• 100 g of granulated sugar
• 100 g of soft butter
• 3 eggs
• 1 ripe but firm pear
• 50 g of all-purpose flour
• 1 packet of baking powder
• A pinch of salt
• Icing sugar for decorating (optional)
• Grated zest of 1 lemon (for an Italian touch)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. In a bowl, beat the soft butter with the sugar until you have a frothy mixture.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, incorporating them well into the mixture.
4. Add the grated lemon zest for a typically Italian flavored touch.
5. In another bowl, mix the almond flour with the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
6. Fold the dry ingredients into the mixture of butter, sugar, and eggs, mixing gently until you have a uniform batter.
7. Pour the batter into a previously buttered and floured cake tin (or lined with parchment paper).
8. Cut the pear in half, remove the core and slice it thinly.
9. Arrange the pear slices on top of the batter, pressing them down slightly.
10. Bake for about 30-40 minutes or until the cake is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
11. Allow the cake to cool before dusting it with icing sugar if desired.

Did you know?

Almond-based cakes are widespread in Southern Italy, especially in Sicily where almond cultivation is particularly valued. The pear, with its subtle sweetness, creates a pleasant contrast with the rich texture of the almonds, resulting in a dessert ideal for accompanying an afternoon tea or as a refined end to a meal.

Remember to let the cake cool before removing it from the tin to prevent it from breaking. And bon appétit!