This upside-down pear cake, which occurs to be gluten-free and options toasted miso within the batter, is a flirtatious tug-and-pull of candy and savory flavors. Sliced pears are layered into rapidly made caramel after which topped with a batter that comes collectively utilizing only a bowl, a whisk and a spatula — no fancy devices wanted. Serve it on the finish of a meal, for a special day, at brunch or with a morning espresso.
You could be tempted to extend the salt within the recipe, however remember that miso delivers a wholesome dose of it. And, in the summertime, strive it with a pound and a half of plums, which is what the unique recipe makes use of.
Lively time: 30 minutes; Whole time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Storage Notes: Retailer tightly wrapped within the fridge for as much as 3 days.
The place to Purchase: Shiro miso (white miso) might be discovered at Asian markets or well-stocked supermarkets. Mild buckwheat flour or sorghum flour might be discovered at well being meals shops or on-line.
Servings:
8 – 10
Examined measurement: 8-10 servings; one 9-inch cake
Substances
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2/3 cup (130 grams) granulated sugar, divided
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2 medium unpeeled pears (about 1 pound/455 grams whole), similar to Anjou or Bosc, cored and sliced 1/3- to 1/2-inch thick
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3 tablespoons (60 grams) shiro miso (white miso)
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1/3 cup (85 grams/80 milliliters) complete milk (might substitute with unsweetened plant milk)
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1 cup (200 grams) flippantly packed gentle brown sugar
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3 massive eggs, at room temperature
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1/2 cup (110 grams/120 milliliters) sunflower oil or extra-virgin olive oil
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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1 cup (140 grams) gentle buckwheat flour or sorghum flour
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1/2 cup (50 grams) almond flour
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1/2 teaspoon baking soda
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1/8 teaspoon fantastic salt
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Finely chopped almonds, for serving (non-compulsory)
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Heavy cream, whipped, for serving (non-compulsory)
Instructions
Place a rack in the course of the oven and preheat to 350 levels.
Set a medium stainless-steel skillet over medium warmth. Sprinkle half of the sugar evenly within the pan. Because the sugar melts, sprinkle within the the rest and prepare dinner till all of the sugar turns the colour of a penny, 3 to five minutes. If the sugar isn’t melting evenly, stir it with a wood spoon or versatile spatula. Switch the caramel to a 9-inch cake pan, scraping the skillet to get each bit out. Rigorously swirl the pan round so the underside is roofed with the caramel; the pan will get scorching, so watch out. For those who miss a number of spots on the underside of the pan earlier than the caramel hardens, don’t fret — it’ll remelt within the oven when baking.
Rigorously prepare the pears in a round sample over the caramel; put aside.
Utilizing the identical skillet, unfold the miso in a skinny layer on the underside. Set the skillet over medium-high warmth and prepare dinner the miso till it begins to stay to the skillet, stirring it round with a wood spoon to toast it, 1 to 2 minutes. It would flip darkish and smoky. Pour within the milk and whisk it with the miso, as if making a roux. The combination will thicken right into a darkish paste. Switch to a big bowl and let cool for about 5 minutes.
Whisk the brown sugar, eggs, oil and vanilla into the miso paste till easy. Then whisk within the buckwheat or sorghum flour, almond flour, baking soda and salt till you could have a easy batter. Pour it over the pears and switch to the oven.
Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or till a cake tester or toothpick inserted within the middle comes out clear. Let the cake cool within the pan set over a wire rack for about quarter-hour, then run a butter knife near the sting of the pan to launch the cake and invert it onto a serving plate. If bits of caramel get caught on the underside of the pan, don’t fret — it is a rustic cake and needn’t look excellent.
Serve heat or at room temperature with a sprinkle of chopped almonds and/or a dollop of whipped cream, if utilizing.
Recipe Supply
Tailored from “Cannelle et Vanille Bakes Simple” by Aran Goyoaga (Sasquatch Books, 2021).
Examined by Olga Massov.
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