Pear and chocolate cake

Delicious pear and chocolate cake: a perfect combination for lovers of fruit and chocolate desserts. This recipe is not just a simple cake, but an explosion of flavors and textures that blend harmoniously to delight you with every bite. The total preparation time is about 1 hour and 10 minutes, and this recipe will bring you 8 servings of sweet happiness.

Ingredients

- 4 eggs
- 100 g sour cream
- 3 large ripe pears
- 200 g butter (plus extra for greasing)
- 150 g powdered sugar
- 180 g flour
- 150 g dark chocolate (minimum 70% cocoa)
- 50 g nuts (not finely chopped)
- 1/2 packet baking powder
- 1 teaspoon rum essence
- Pitted canned cherries

For decoration:
- 30 g chocolate
- 2 tablespoons milk

Preparing the cake

1. Preparing the ingredients
Start by preparing all your ingredients. Make sure the butter is at room temperature so it mixes easily with the sugar. Peel the pears, cut them in half, and remove the core. This step is essential for them to integrate perfectly into the cake.

2. Making the buttercream
In a large bowl, add the softened butter and powdered sugar. Use an electric mixer or a spatula to mix the ingredients until you obtain a light and fluffy cream. This process is essential for incorporating air into the mixture, which will make the cake fluffier.

3. Adding the eggs
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. This will help achieve a homogeneous composition.

4. Including the flavors
Add the rum essence and sour cream, continuing to mix. The sour cream will add a creamy texture to the cake, while the rum will provide a note of complexity to the flavors.

5. The chocolate
Melt the dark chocolate in a bain-marie or in the microwave. Make sure it is completely cooled before adding it to the previous mixture. The melted chocolate will give the cake a depth of flavor and a pleasant moisture.

6. The flour and baking powder
Sift the flour together with the baking powder into the butter mixture. This step is crucial to avoid lumps and ensure an even texture. Gently mix with a spatula until incorporated.

7. The egg whites and nuts
Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Carefully fold them into the chocolate mixture using gentle folding motions. This step will keep the cake airy. Add the chopped nuts, which will add a crunchy texture and a special flavor.

8. Preparing the pan
Grease a pan with butter and line the bottom with parchment paper. This will prevent the cake from sticking and make it easier to remove from the pan. Place the pear halves in the pan, and inside them, put some canned cherries. These will add a pleasant contrast of acidity.

9. Pouring the mixture
Carefully pour the chocolate mixture over the pears, ensuring that all the pears are evenly covered. Gently tap the pan on the table to eliminate air bubbles.

10. Baking
Place the pan in the preheated oven at 180°C and bake for 50-55 minutes. Check if it’s done by doing the toothpick test: if it comes out clean, the cake is well baked.

11. Cooling and decorating
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a serving plate. You can decorate the cake with melted chocolate or powdered sugar, depending on your preferences. Add a touch of originality with whole nuts or slices of pear.

Serving and suggestions
This pear and chocolate cake pairs perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a slice of goat cheese, which will balance the sweetness of the dessert. Additionally, a fruit tea or a sweet white wine could perfectly complement the culinary experience.

Calories and nutritional benefits
This cake has about 300 calories per serving, but also offers a number of nutritional benefits: dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, and nuts provide essential fatty acids and proteins. Pears are an excellent source of fiber and vitamins.

Possible variations
To give a personal touch to the cake, you can replace the pears with apples or peaches, or even add a layer of caramel on top. You can also experiment with different types of nuts or add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to bring a seasonal flavor.

Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use white chocolate?
Yes, you can replace dark chocolate with white chocolate, but you will need to adjust the amount of sugar since white chocolate is sweeter.

2. What can I do if I don’t have sour cream?
You can replace sour cream with yogurt or half a cup of milk, but the texture will be slightly different.

3. Can the cake be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze the cake, but it’s recommended to cut it into portions before freezing so you can easily take it out when you want to serve it.

Now that you have all the necessary information, all that’s left is to get cooking! This pear and chocolate cake will not only bring you the satisfaction of a delicious dessert but also the joy of sharing a beloved recipe with your loved ones. Enjoy!