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Pear & Thyme Upside-Down Cake

Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

For the Pear Topping

  • 2–3 ripe but firm pears, peeled, cored, and sliced
  • ¼ cup butter 60 g
  • ½ cup brown sugar 100 g
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

For the Cake Batter

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 190 g
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup butter, softened 115 g
  • ¾ cup sugar 150 g
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup milk 120 mL
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp lemon zest optional

Instructions
 

Prepare the Topping

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) .
  • In your cake pan or skillet, melt butter over low heat.
  • Stir in brown sugar until combined and slightly bubbling.
  • Arrange pear slices over the sugar mixture in a fan pattern.
  • Sprinkle with thyme leaves and set aside.

Make the Batter

  • In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla and lemon zest.
  • Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk, mixing gently until just combined.

Assemble & Bake

  • Pour batter evenly over the pears, smoothing the top.
  • Bake 40–45 minutes , until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Let rest 10 minutes , then carefully invert onto a plate.