Pear and Chocolate Cake

The pear and chocolate cake is a delicious dessert that combines the sweetness of the pears with the intensity of the chocolate. Here is a basic recipe to make this delicious dessert.

Ingredients

• 3 ripe but firm pears
• 200 g of flour
• 150 g of sugar
• 150 g of butter at room temperature
• 100 g of dark chocolate
• 3 eggs
• 1 sachet of baking powder
• 1 pinch of salt
• Icing sugar for decorating (optional)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. Peel the pears, remove the core and cut them into slices.
3. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or microwave and let it cool slightly.
4. In a bowl, cream the softened butter with the sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, continuing to mix.
5. Add the melted chocolate to the mixture and stir.
6. Gradually incorporate the sifted flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt, mixing gently until the batter is smooth.
7. Pour the batter into a previously buttered and floured cake pan (or lined with parchment paper).
8. Arrange the pear slices on the surface of the batter, pressing them down slightly.
9. Bake in the oven for about 40-45 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
10. Let the cake cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. Before serving, you can sprinkle the surface of the cake with icing sugar.

Trivia

The combination of pears and chocolate is loved in many culinary cultures. In Italy, especially in the Veneto region, it is common to find this cake on the menus of home-style restaurants, where it is appreciated for its rich flavor and moistness. The dark chocolate used in the recipe adds a pleasant contrast to the sweetness of the pears, making the dessert not too sugary and suitable to conclude a meal or for a refined snack.

It is possible to customize the recipe by adding spices such as cinnamon or ginger to give an extra touch to the taste of the cake. Happy preparation and bon appétit!