Now, you might be thinking, “Red wine in a cake? Won’t it taste like alcohol?” But fear not! The red wine in this recipe adds a rich, fruity depth of flavor without overwhelming the taste buds with boozy notes.
To start, you’ll want to prep your ingredients. You’ll need two ripe pears (Bartlett or Anjou work well), one and a half cups of all-purpose flour, two teaspoons of baking powder, half a teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of cinnamon, half a teaspoon of nutmeg, three-quarters of a cup of granulated sugar, two eggs, half a cup of vegetable oil, one cup of red wine, and a handful of chopped walnuts for garnish (optional).
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9-inch cake pan with butter or non-stick spray. Peel and core your pears, then slice them into thin pieces. Set them aside for later.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In a separate bowl, beat the sugar and eggs together until light and fluffy. Add the oil and red wine and whisk until fully combined.
Slowly add in the dry ingredients, mixing until just blended. Be careful not to overmix, as this can cause your cake to become tough and dry.
Fold in your sliced pears, reserving a handful for decoration if you’d like. Pour the batter into your greased cake pan, arranging the pear slices on top in a decorative pattern. If using walnuts, sprinkle them over the pears.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before removing it from the pan and placing it on a wire rack to cool completely.
And there you have it – a beautifully rustic pear and red wine cake that’s perfect for fall and winter gatherings. The flavors of the pears and red wine meld together wonderfully, creating a warm and cozy dessert that’s comforting and delightful.
If you’re feeling fancy, you could even whip up a simple glaze or frosting to drizzle over the top of your cake. A cream cheese frosting or a sweet wine reduction would be particularly delicious.
Whether you’re serving this cake with your morning coffee or as a dessert for a dinner party, it’s sure to impress and delight your taste buds. So go ahead and give this recipe a try – your taste buds will thank you!