"Keep your face to the sunshine
and you cannot see the shadow.
It's what sunflowers do."
~ Helen Keller
UPSIDE-DOWN PEAR SKILLET CAKE
~ Another treasured autumn treat from 1991 issue of Bon Appetit
('Baking a cake in a skillet is a time-honored tradition. French cooks use one for tarte Tatin, which this dessert resembles; here in the U>S> it was the way to go with pineapple upside-down cakes back in the fifties.")
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1 cup firmly packed golden brown sugar
6 Tbsp. unsalted butter cut into 4 pieces
1 1/3 cups AP flour
1 1/3 cups sugar
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 large eggs
1/2 cup corn or vegetable oil
1 small, unpeeled, coarsely grated pear
1 Tbsp. grated peeled fresh ginger (1 tsp. ground)
4 peeled, cored pears (cut into 6 wedges)
good vanilla/vanilla bean ice cream
- Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350-degrees.
- Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over bottom of heavy 12-inch ovenproof skillet (preferably cast iron) with 2 1/2 inch high sides. Add butter pieces to skillet. Place skillet in oven until butter melts, about 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in bowl. Using electric mixer, beat in eggs, and oil. Mix in grated pear and ginger.
- Remove skillet from oven; whisk butter and sugar until sugar dissolves. Arrange pear wedges in skillet in flower pattern, fitting wedges closely together and placing any remaining wedges in center. Pour batter over pears, spreading evenly. Bake until cake is springy to touch and tester inserted into center comes our clean, about 1 hour.
- Transfer skillet to rack and cool 20 minutes. Loosen edges of cake with knife. Place large plate over skillet. Using oven mitts, firmly grasp plate and skillet. Carefully invert skillet, turning out cake onto plate. Remove skillet. Serve cake warm with ice cream. (12 servings)
Comments
Marnie
Thanks Barbee ... I LOVE making pineapple upside down cake in my mother's old iron skillet (my favorite pan) and, oh yes, with cherries. Also a pear lover, this version is delicious. Enjoyed viewing your project ... wow!
Miss them this year :(
But I would like to look at a big field of sunflowers - something I've never had the chance to do.
Lucy
Dearest Shady ~ with all the wonderful software available, e.g. Photoshop or Picasa (very user friendly) these photos are very easy to compose. Always a joy to connect with, thank you :)
You lucky gal, Gail! Home-Ec was not even offered in my small Catholic high school (37 in my class but transferred senior year to a class of over 600 ~ graduated top in my class). So (memory lane) I practiced cooking at home (please note the adventuresome cook that I am, I struggled through a L O N G journey from cooking the worst meals anyone had ever tasted to some of the best ~ fudge and cooking with my Chaney Tru-Temp Deep Fat Frying & Candy thermometer, forever a challenge)!
I hear you, Lucy! Thanks for stopping by ... I so enjoy viewing life through your eyes!
Hi Carolyn and thank you ~ not surprised you took note of this quote ... actually, it is quietly in honor of my sister, Nancy, who lost her vision throughout her horiffic and courageous battle these past few years. It was difficult to compose since I still am heavy of heart. Thank you, dear friend.
Keep going strong dear Garden Friend!
(((HUGS)))
Frances
Thank you very much, Muhammad khabbab. I think sunflowers tug at everyone's heart ... plus they're delightful to photograph!
With much work to do in the garden, Frances, I'm craving some of that 'magical light'! The past 2days have been pretty ... hum ... ugly. Of course, that leaves more time for creative fun in the kitchen and I love that too (so does Mr. Ho-Hum)!
I'm off to look up caponata...Kim
Love the sunflower pictures. You are very talented.
Oh sweet Jan ... how kind! You of all people see the light. Hope all is well, dear friend.
Thanks for stopping by and for your warm words....always welcome :)
Your wonderful photos of the golden sunflower field are so warming on this day of nasty weather. Ours sounds just the same as yours. I'm craving sunshine because, like you, I still have much to do in the garden.
Yum, that pear cake sounds delicious!
Happy autumn to you!
You probably know that in French they're called Tournesol. literally 'turn to the sun'
Great images Joey
I could have used this recipe last year when I had so many pears! I wonder if the ones I froze would work?
The recipe sounds wonderful! What a perfect autumn desert.
Cameron
Congratulations on your win at Blotanical! You truly deserve it,
Thanks Rob ... I should know that but a perfect word for sunflowers!
Thank you for your warm words on this dreary day, Kerri. We are heading to the lake tomorrow to pull docks and put boats and furniture to bed ~ weather prediction for weekend ... sleet!
Where many treasures are found, Robin ... surrounding beautiful Hubbard Lake!
Though large, I don't have room for a beautiful display of sunflowers in my gardens, Rose. Only fresh pears will do for his dessert ... frozen too soupy :)
Just noticed that you won the Blotanical Award for Best Michigan Blog. Congratulations. Well deserved.
~ hugs, Cherry
your recipe maes me wish I liked pears !!! :)
So good to see you back in the swing of things. You always photograph with classy style. Those sunflowers in fields are stunning.
Congrats on your 'best Michigan blog' award... more than deserving!
Blessings and hugs,
Meems
Thank you, dear Jane Marie. A bit shocked but delighted to see my name next to yours as a finalist especially with my long absence after my sister died. Just returned home after a long day, surprised to see the Blotanical honor.
Quite a surprise, Carolyn, especially after the long, hard summer ... now, can we talk about your lovely daughter, Cathy! Just returned from her site (Outside In), catching the note on your blog regarding your dual Blotanical nominations. You must be thrilled ... thanks for popping in with your kind words. It's been a joy getting to know you over the years (now that fall has arrived, be on the lookout for some good bourbon recipes).
... and Kudos to you, dear Miss Cherry, you sweet 'Georgia Peach'! Congratulations and hugs to you also.
... as you make my heart sing also, dear Anna. Congratulations on your numerous nominations and sweet awards. Your warm friendship has sustained me and for this, I am most thankful. My thoughts are with you also.
Hi Nutty ~ What! You don't like pears! Maybe this dessert will change your mind :) Perhaps Himself would enjoy it! And yes, sunflowers are happy flowers and I bet if they could speak they would have a sunny disposition ... just like you!
Blessings, hugs, and kudos to you, dear Meems, most deserving of the honor ... Best Florida Blog. Friends for a long time, I remember you were the 1st to welcome me to Blotanical. We both serve as passionate ambassadors for the awesome state that we each love!