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Pear Cardamom Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Icing: The Ultimate Fall & Holiday Dessert

Indulge in the sweet and fragrant delight of our Pear Cardamom Cake, crowned with a luscious maple-cream cheese icing. This comforting dessert is not just a treat for the taste buds but also a stunning addition to any holiday table, promising warmth and elegance in every slice.

My culinary journey often leads to delightful discoveries, much like the inspiring Williams-Sonoma Cookbook Club class I recently attended. Featuring Giada De Laurentiis’ celebrated book, Happy Cooking, the evening was a vibrant blend of engaging conversations about food, cooking techniques, and festive recipe ideas for the upcoming holidays. Guided by the incredibly talented Chef Roger, we witnessed captivating demonstrations of several new dishes destined for our entertaining repertoires. A personal highlight was certainly taking home a signed copy of Giada’s book – a true chef’s score!

For those curious about the culinary highlights from that memorable evening, a peek at my Flickr feed reveals an array of delectable creations. Among them, a succulent Porcetta and a rich Brown and Wild Rice Dressing stood out. I’m already planning to recreate both of these masterpieces in my own kitchen, eager to bring those gourmet flavors home.

Crafting a Signature Fall Flavor: From Apple to Pear

The class concluded with a divine slice of Giada’s “Spiced Apple Walnut Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze.” While truly delicious, its concept sparked an idea: to adapt this wonderful recipe to highlight three of my absolute favorite flavors for the autumn season: pears, pecans, and the warm, aromatic notes of cardamom. This adaptation wasn’t just a whim; it was a carefully considered evolution, aiming to create a dessert that embodies the essence of fall in a unique and utterly irresistible way. The result? A cake so captivating that it has become an instant classic in my recipe collection, joining Giada’s original as a definite “keeper.”

It’s safe to say that once this cake emerges from the oven, its presence on the cake stand becomes a delightful challenge to ignore. Baked just yesterday, I doubt this magnificent Pear Cardamom Cake will last more than a few days in my household. Its fragrant aroma and inviting taste make it incredibly difficult to resist, proving its place as a truly cherished recipe.

Why Pears and Cardamom Create Pure Magic

During the autumn months, while apples often steal the show in pies, cider doughnuts, and salads, my heart truly belongs to pears. I seize every opportunity to cook and bake with them. Pears possess a wonderfully mild, sweet flavor and a delicate texture that elevates any dish they grace, lending an air of sophisticated elegance. For this cake, Bosc or Anjou pears are ideal choices due to their firm flesh which holds up beautifully during baking, preventing the cake from becoming watery while ensuring tender, juicy bites throughout.

When developing this recipe, I consciously diverged from the traditional spice blend found in Giada’s original cake (which featured cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger). Instead, I focused on a harmonious duo of cinnamon and, most importantly, cardamom. The floral, citrusy, and slightly spicy notes of ground cardamom pair exquisitely with the subtle sweetness of pears. This combination creates a depth of flavor where neither ingredient overpowers the other; instead, they dance together in perfect balance, complementing each other with remarkable synergy. Cardamom introduces an exotic warmth, transforming a simple fruit cake into something truly extraordinary and memorable.

The Indispensable Role of Maple Syrup and Toasted Pecans

One of the most beloved elements of this recipe, and a concept I proudly retained from the original, is the use of pure maple syrup as the cake’s primary sweetener. Beyond its natural sweetness, maple syrup imparts an incredible richness and complexity to the batter, creating a roundness of flavor that granulated sugar alone cannot achieve. Coupled with vegetable oil and the natural juices released from the pears, maple syrup contributes significantly to a tender, moist crumb that remains delightful for several days. This characteristic makes the cake an excellent choice for making ahead, especially during busy holiday seasons.

The synergy between maple syrup, pears, and cardamom proved so captivating that I decided to extend its presence into the maple-cream cheese icing. Adding maple syrup to the glaze introduces an extra layer of sophisticated flavor, enhancing the overall profile of the cake. This decision results in an icing that is not only smooth and creamy but also carries a subtle, warm sweetness that beautifully complements the spiced pear cake beneath. The inclusion of toasted pecans adds a crucial textural contrast and a nutty depth that rounds out the flavor profile perfectly. Toasting the pecans beforehand intensifies their flavor, ensuring every bite offers a satisfying crunch alongside the soft cake and luscious icing.

Perfect for Any Festive Occasion or Everyday Indulgence

This Pear Cardamom Cake would undoubtedly be a show-stopping addition to any Thanksgiving dessert table or a festive Christmas gathering. Its robust yet elegant flavors encapsulate the essence of the holidays, offering a delightful alternative to more traditional seasonal fare. Moreover, its ability to transport well makes it an ideal dessert to bring along when visiting family or friends, ensuring your contribution is both impressive and travel-friendly.

With the season of entertaining now in full swing, this cake also presents itself as a beautiful and surprisingly easy-to-prepare option for a holiday brunch. Imagine serving slices alongside coffee or tea, its inviting aroma filling the air. And for those who believe cake is strictly a post-dinner treat, I offer a gentle challenge: I personally enjoyed a piece for breakfast this morning with a cup of tea. After all, it contains fruit, right? There’s absolutely no shame in starting your day with a little bit of deliciousness!

Whether you’re hosting a grand celebration or simply craving a comforting treat on a crisp autumn afternoon, this Pear Cardamom Cake is designed to deliver joy. Its unique blend of flavors, combined with its tender texture and irresistible icing, makes it a truly special dessert that everyone will adore.

Delicious Pear Cardamom Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Icing

Pear Cardamom Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Glaze

By: Amanda Biddle

Sweet and fragrant with a maple-cream cheese icing, this Pear Cardamom Cake is a beautiful and comforting dessert. Great for holiday entertaining! Inspired by “Spiced Apple Walnut Cake with Cream Cheese Icing,” Giada De Laurentiis, Happy Cooking (Pam Krauss Books, 2015).

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

To make the cake:

2 pears (about 3 cups fruit), peeled, cored, and cut into 1/4 to 1/2-inch dice
1-1/2 cups pure maple syrup
3 large eggs, room temperature
¾ cup light brown sugar
¾ cup vegetable oil
3 cups all purpose flour, divided
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cardamom *
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

To make the icing:

1 cup confectioners’ sugar
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
¼ cup heavy cream
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon cool water, plus extra, as needed

Instructions

Make the cake:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F with rack in middle position. Grease and flour a 10-cup Bundt pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together maple syrup, eggs, oil, and brown sugar until very smooth. (You can also use a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium-low speed for convenience.)
In a medium bowl, toss diced pears with 2 tablespoons flour. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together remaining flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt. Whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in 3 additions until combined. Fold in pears and pecans.
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake until golden brown and a cake tester comes out clean, 55-60 minutes. Cool cake in pan for 15 minutes and then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Make the icing and serve:

In a blender or food processor, process confectioners’ sugar, maple syrup, heavy cream, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon water until smooth, scraping bowl as needed. Add additional cool water 1 teaspoon at a time until the icing is a pourable consistency. Pour icing over the cooled cake and let stand for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

*The strength of your cardamom will vary by brand and freshness. If you don’t prefer a prominent cardamom flavor, or if the particular brand of cardamom you’re using is extremely aromatic, consider decreasing the amount to 1/2 teaspoon. Conversely, if your cardamom is very mild, you might consider increasing it to suit your personal spice preference.

Nutrition Estimate

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

About Our Recipes

Please note that our recipes have been developed using the US Customary measurement system and have not been tested for high altitude/elevation cooking and baking. Adjustments may be necessary for different environmental conditions.